Leonardo da Vinci. Historical portrait of the Italian scientist and artist Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519). He is most famous for his works of art, such as The Last Supper (1495-97) and the Mona Lisa (1503-06). Despite little formal education, da Vinci kept extensive notebooks filled with his scientific theories, inventions and architectural designs. His notes show that he carefully investigated principles of mechanical and civil engineering. His inventions included grinding and polishing machinery and flying machines. Most of his work was not published during his lifetime and his notes were not rediscovered until the late eighteenth century.