The life of Leonardo da Vinci by John William Brown

Leonardo is painting The Last Supper

Leonardo's residence at the court of Milan, although extremely agreeable to himself, was highly detrimental to his fame as a painter as he was to constantly occupied in different works for the good of the state and the amusement of the Court, that he could not devote to much of his time to painting as his admirers wish. A number of those pictures which are really his own, are left in an unfinished state, from the extreme nicety of his taste. His imagination went so far beyond what it is in the power of man to execute, that he was seldom or ever contented with his own works, and he would frequently lay aside a picture altogether, if it did not equal his idea of the subject.

At other times he would hastily abandon an undertaking, if his design did not embrace all that his imagination had preconceived. Hence there remain to few pictures by this inimitable artist; but these few are no very highly finished, that no one since has been supposed to have surpassed him. Many of the pictures which are shown in Italy as Leonardo's paintinga, are falsely considered so, particularly in Milan, where they are generally the work of some of his scholars, with the advantage of receiving the last touches from himself.

There could have been no part of Da Vinci's life more pleasant to himself, then the time he spent at Milan previous to the misfortunes of the House of Sforza. In the full enjoyment of his princely patron's confidence and favour, he lived in the most splendid manner, beloved and respected by everybody. Free from all care for present wants, and too little accustomed to consider the future, he passed his time in the gratification of his favourite pursuits, and devoted his leisure to the entertainment of his friends.

Expensive in his habits, he kept a most liberal table; his house was always open to whoever was distinguished for talents or accomplishments; and he drew around him the hest society in Milan during that brilliant period. He sought for merit wherever it was to be found, for the rust of envy never corroded his noble heart, and the poorest artist was always welcome to a seat at his bored and share of his purse.