How long did it take people to appreciate Leonardo Da Vinci's work?

Answer 1

Leonardo's work was appreciated in his own lifetime.

Vasari speaks of Leonardo's painting prowess while his is still a student under Andrea del Verrocchio. his angel from The Baptism of Christ was said to have been so wonderful that his master never again painted. Vasari did tend to exaggerate but I think he was simply making a point with regard to Leonardo's great ability at such a young age.

Leonaro was the first collectable artist and was famous guring his own lifetime. Isabella d'Este, a great Renaissance art collector desperately wanted some of his work. Much like a collector today wanting a Picasso or a Hockney. This behaviour was virtually unknown in this era as the subject was usually more important to the patron than who painted it.

ICG is incorrect regarding Ludovico Sforza's intentions as he was more interested in Leonardo's ability to cast bronze for cannon and the Sforza monument rather than his artistic ability. Sforza was hanging onto his dukedom by a shoe string and a military engineer was very important to him. If you look at Leonardo's letter to Sforza you will notice he only mentions his painting at the very end after a long list of other abilities.

Also Leonardo is not simply famous because of Dan Brown's book. As an art historian I've never heard anything so rediculous.

I can give you primary source reference as to Leonardo's life and works as I've studied him for man years and had the pleasure of handling some of his work personally rather than a bunch of hearsay and rumour.

Answer 2

Rapunzel is talking nonsense.

Leonardo was a sucessful artist, recieveing many major commissions, though he earned his income primarily as a millitary engineer (largly working for the King of France).

His work fell somewhat out of fashion a century after his death, but ws revived by the Goncourt brthers in the 1880's when it became popular among the Symbolists.

Answer 3

When he was 20 or so, and was registered in the painters' guild. At least, that's my guess...

When he was 30, he became the court artist at the residence of Ludovico Sforza. So, by then for sure, cause no noble men would have hired an artist if they didn't appreciate their work.

Answer 4

apart from the art fraternity, it took quite a while...some 400 years actually . Leonardo DaVinci became popular worldwide after Dan Brown's cheap thriller, unfortunately!!

Answer 5

It must have been appreciated during his lfe otherwise no one would have had him paint for them. I think that Leonardo was appreciated after his death.