Summary

Although Leonardo did not do much personal writing in his notebooks, he did mark the date his mother came to live with him in Milan as well as her death date a few weeks later and funeral expenses. As Leonardo was finishing The Last Supper in the late 1490s, disputes arose between him and the duke over other commissions. At the same time, French invasions into Italy were creating both artistic and political disruptions, such as cancelling the production of his horse monument. In the summer of 1499, the French invaded Milan and Leonardo's patron duke fled the city. Luckily for Leonardo, the French king loved The Last Supper and the artist was able to spend the next few months working with the French. However, when news reached him that his former patron, the duke, was set to return to Milan, Leonardo decided it...