Giants of History presents Leonardo da Vinci, episode number one. Welcome to Giants of History and thank you for joining us. How could you describe this heart in words without filling a whole book?

The note written by Leonardo da Vinci found beside one of his anatomical drawings of a human

heart, Circa 1513.

On a day much like any other,

toward the end of his life,

in most likely the year 1518 or 1519, Leonardo da Vinci sat quietly writing at a table.

He was at this time living in a small chateau in the city of Ambois, France.

The chateau was called Chateau de Clue, which was located only a quarter mile from the Chateau de

Ambois, a favorite royal residence of King Francis I of France.

King Francis I had invited Leonardo in the year 1516, just three years prior, to live in the

chateau and be the court painter, philosopher, and architect.

He was officially instructed by the king to, quote, think, work, and dream.

At this time while he was living in France, Leonardo looked much like most of us imagined

him to have looked when we hear his name.

As the self-portrait painted in 1510 shows him.

Long white hair, long beard, aged.

Most forget, including myself, that he was once young.

The Anonimo Gadiano gives us an incredible snapshot of Leonardo in his younger years when he states, quote,

he was very attractive, well proportioned, graceful, and good looking.

He wore a short, rose pink tunic, knee length, at a time when most people wore long gowns.

He had beautiful curling hair, carefully styled, which came down to the middle of his chest.

In fact, most historians agree that Leonardo was clean-shaven and had no beard for the

...