On October 18, 1503, Leonardo da Vinci rejoined the Guild of St Luke.
For the next two years he designed and painted a mural of The Battle of Anghiari. Against Michelangelo’s will, a committee was formed to relocate the statue of David. In 1504, Leonardo da Vinci became part of that committee. The Mona Lisa was painted from 1503-1505/1507. It is the most famous painting in the world. Not only do the eyes “follow” you, but the elusive smile on her face lends and air of mystery. The shadows at the corners of the mouth and eyes is the reason that they are both so intriguing. This shadowing is called “sfumato” which means Leonardo's smoke. In 1515, Leonardo da Vinci was commissioned to make a mechanical lion which could walk forward and open its chest to reveal hidden
lilies.
From September 1513 to 1516, Leonardo lived in the Belvedere located in the Vatican in Rome.
The last three years of Leonardo da Vinci’s life was spent at the royal Château d’Amboise wih his friend and apprentice, Count Francesco Melzi Leonardo’s work was unique. Because of his extensive knowledge of the human form and the way humans show emotions, he was able to paint expressions and gestures that other artists had never successfully conveyed. His method and technique of laying on the paint and gradation of tone were innovative.