Leonardo Da Vinci is best known as the Renaissance painter who created the <I>Mona Lisa</I> and <I>The Last Supper.</I> he also made great contributions as a sculptor, architect, engineer. and scientist. But Leonardo wasn't always famous. Leonardo grew up in Vinci, a small town in Italy, and when he was only a few years old he was separated from his mother and sent to live with his grandparents and uncle Francesco. Although Leonardo only receiced a formal education for a few years, Francesco taught Leonardo about nature. Leonardo loved to sketch the world around him. <P> When he was a teenager, Leonardo moved to the city of Florence. It was here that his artistic talent was recognized and he became and apprentice to a famous artist. Leonardo worked hard at his trade and advanced quickly, but he wasn't interested in only art. To fuel his curiosity, he also studied science, mathematics, engineering and philosophy. <P> Read about the little boy from Vinci who became one of the most facscinating figures in world history.