Six Controversial Facts about Leonardo da Vinci

The statue was proposed by his noble father Francesco Sforza on a horse that was more than 25 feet (7.62 meters) tall and was intended to be the largest equestrian statue in the world at its time.

Da Vinci even spent nearly 17 years planning the statue. But before it was finished, French troops invaded Milan in 1499.

4. Born as an “Illegitimate” Child

Da Vinci was born in a farmhouse, in Tuscany on April 15, 1452. He was the son of Ser Piero, a wealthy Florentine notary, and a peasant woman named Caterina. The couple is reportedly not married.

Both have 12 children from other couples. Da Vinci was the only child they had together. At that time, an illegitimate child was not expected to follow his father's profession as a notary. Instead, it was to Da Vinci's advantage because he pursued his interest in the arts.

5. Complex Family Condition

When Da Vinci was 16 years old, his father, Piero married Francesca Lanfredini who died childlessly.

Piero's legal heirs went to his third wife Margherita who gave birth to six children and his fourth and last wife Lucrezia Cortigiani who bore him six more.

In total, Da Vinci had 12 half-siblings who were much younger than him. Even the last one was born when Da Vinci was 40 years old.

6. Da Vinci was Charged with Sodomy Case

In 1476, Da Vinci and three other young men were charged with the crime of sodomy. The incident involved a male prostitute. But the charges were dismissed because of a lack of evidence against Da Vinci.