In 1504, Leonardo’s father, Ser Piero, died. He was seventy-eight years old. There was no will, and Leonardo ended up receiving nothing. All the money went to Ser Piero’s other children.
Then, in 1507, Leonardo’s uncle Francesco died. He had been the only relative to show him any affection. Francesco did have a will. Everything was left to Leonardo. Francesco wanted Leonardo to have all his land and money. But Leonardo’s half brothers and sisters were furious. They went to court. What Leonardo ended up getting was the use of Francesco’s land and money. After Leonardo died, it would all go to his relatives.
Leonardo was almost sixty. He had health problems. He had no home and not all that much to show for his many years of work. But at a time when he needed a patron, one appeared. The man appreciated Leonardo for the genius he was. He provided him with a lovely home and garden. He let Leonardo bring along Salai and his other good friend, Francesco Melzi. All the man asked of Leonardo was his company.
The man also happened to be a king.
King Francis I of France had a grand house in Amboise. That’s in the northern part of France. Leonardo was given a beautiful brick-and-limestone house to live in. He brought along his book collection, his notebooks, and three of his paintings. One of them was the Mona Lisa.
A tunnel connected the two houses. Each day he was in Amboise, the king would come to visit and talk. He would pick a subject and ask Leonardo his opinions. The king evidently felt it was an honor simply to be in Leonardo’s presence.
And so Leonardo finished out his life in France. On May 2, 1519, he died. One story says that he died in the king’s arms. Another says that his last words were about his horse statue. If only he had been able to complete it.
He was buried in a chapel in Amboise. It may not be a happy ending. But it isn’t a sad one, either. |