Leonardo da Vinci Part 7: The Master Rests His Head.

The Biographers

In the last installment of our series on Leonardo da Vinci, we cover the final ten years of the genius Renaissance man's life. Starting off in Milan, Leonardo tries to discover how the earth sustains life, much like he discovered the importance of the human heart years earlier. In his studies of geology, Leonardo becomes unabashedly heretical, using science to prove why the fossils of ocean creatures found their way to the tops of mountainsides. After the Sforzas try to retake Milan for the second time, Leonardo finds new patronage with Pope Leo the 10th, who turns out to be the son of Lorenzo the Magnificent. Now spending his days in Rome, he gets to catch up with his old friend, Donato Bramante, until a treacherous idea-thief forces him to move to France where he begins working for his most beloved patron: King Francis the 1st. After Leonardo's death, his long-time partner, Salai, gets caught stealing dozens of paintings, including the most iconic image in western history: The Mona Lisa. Tune in to our conclusion episode of Leonardo da Vinci to learn more, and bid the old master a fond farewell. (Ep. 029)