Leonardo da Vinci was born and raised in Vinci, Italy, the illegitimate son of Messer Piero, and a peasant woman, Caterina. There is strong evidence that this woman was Piero's Russian Jewish house slave. Ironically, if he was born the legitimate son of Piero he would have gone into his father's business and we would never have heard of him or his artistic genious.

He is widely considered to be one of the greatest painters of all time and perhaps the most diversely talented person ever to have lived. His inventions were centuries ahead of their time and have been used as guides in modern projects. Two of his works, the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper occupy unique positions as the most famous, the most illustrated, and most imitated portrait and religious painting of all time. Recently books and movies have become popular which attribute many hidden messages to Leonardo which can be found in his work.

This lecture contains many examples of his inventions, drawings, paintings and close examinations of his two greatest works.