Leonardo da Vinci was a famous 15th century Italian artist born in Vinci, Italy in 1452. He is best known for paintings like the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper. Da Vinci died in 1519 leaving the Mona Lisa unfinished. The Mona Lisa is considered one of the most famous paintings in history and now hangs in the Louvre in Paris. Da Vinci was also an inventor and made early sketches of inventions like helicopters, tanks, and motor vehicles.