Who Was Leonardo da Vinci 达·芬奇 Chapter 8 Losses

In 1504, Leonardo’s father, Ser Piero, died. He was seventy-eight years old. There was no will, and Leonardo ended up receiving nothing. All the money went to Ser Piero’s other children.

Then, in 1507, Leonardo’s uncle Francesco died. He had been the only relative to show him any affection. Francesco did have a will. Everything was left to Leonardo. Francesco wanted Leonardo to have all his land and money. But Leonardo’s half brothers and sisters were furious¹. They went to court. What Leonardo ended up getting was the use of Francesco’s land and money. After Leonardo died, it would all go to his relatives.

Leonardo was almost sixty. He had health problems. He had no home and not all that much to show for his many years of work. But at a time when he needed a patron², one appeared. The man appreciated Leonardo for the genius he was. He provided him with a lovely home and garden. He let Leonardo bring along Salai and his other good friend, Francesco Melzi. All the man asked of Leonardo was his company.

The man also happened to be a king.

King Francis I of France had a grand house in Amboise. That’s in the northern part of France. Leonardo was given a beautiful brick-and-limestone house to live in. He brought along his book collection, his notebooks, and three of his paintings. One of them was the Mona Lisa.

A tunnel connected the two houses. Each day he was in Amboise, the king would come to visit and talk. He would pick a subject and ask Leonardo his opinions. The king evidently felt it was an honor simply to be in Leonardo’s presence.

And so Leonardo finished out his life in France. On May 2, 1519, he died. One story says that he died in the king’s arms. Another says that his last words were about his horse statue. If only he had been able to complete it.

He was buried in a chapel³ in Amboise. It may not be a happy ending. But it isn’t a sad one, either.

1 furious   

adj.狂怒的，暴怒的，强烈的，激烈的

参考例句：

• I was furious at his making such an accusation.我对他的这种责备非常气愤。
• His wife was furious with him.他妻子对他大发雷霆。

2 patron   

n.资助人，赞助人，老主顾，顾客

参考例句：

• The student wants to find a wealthy patron in America.那学生想在美国找一个富有的赞助人。
• I hope that you will become our patron.我希望你将成为我们的靠山。

3 chapel   

n.小教堂，殡仪馆

参考例句：

• The nimble hero,skipped into a chapel that stood near.敏捷的英雄跳进近旁的一座小教堂里。
• She was on the peak that Sunday afternoon when she played in chapel.那个星期天的下午，她在小教堂的演出，可以说是登峰造极。