Leonardo da Vinci died on this day 504 years ago, aged 67.
- Da Vinci was left-handed, and he would often write backwards, with the letters mirrored. It is believed that a stroke paralyzed his right hand.
- Not only was da Vinci passionate about art, but he also loved music. He was a flautist and lyrist, and even wrote some of his own music.
- In 1476, da Vinci was charged with sodomy (involving a male prostitute)- the case was dismissed due to lack of evidence.
- Da Vinci was rivals with Michelangelo- the latter criticized the former for failing to finish his works, while Da Vinci criticized how muscular Michelangelo's statues were.
- Da Vinci moved out of Florence in 1516 after king Francis I of France invited him to become his "Premier Painter and Engineer and Architect".
- Da Vinci specifically wanted to be buried at the Château d'Amboise, which was fulfilled. The chateau was largely destroyed during Napoleon's rise to power, and it is believed that some of da Vinci's bones were moved following its destruction.