The renowned professor Carlo Vecce, a philologist and Renaissance historian, recently made a surprising discovery about Leonardo da Vinci’s mother. According to a document found in the state archives of Florence, Leonardo’s mother, Caterina, was a Circassian princess, daughter of Prince Yakob, who ruled one of the kingdoms in the Caucasus Mountains. Caterina was captured, most likely by the Tartars, and sold into slavery to the Venetians.
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The Intriguing Past of Leonardo da Vinci’s Mother Uncovered
Leonardo da Vinci’s mother was not of Italian origin. This discovery could change our understanding of the life and work of Leonardo da Vinci, as the new identity of the genius’s mother reveals that he was only half Italian.
The news was revealed in a press conference in Florence, where Vecce presented his first novel, “The Smile of Caterina: Leonardo’s Mother“. According to the professor, the book is based on real facts, and the names of the characters are the same found in the manuscripts he consulted.
The document found by Vecce is a release letter signed by Leonardo’s father, Piero da Vinci, a notary of the Florentine county. The letter, dated November 2, 1452, about six months after Leonardo’s birth, releases Caterina, “filia Jacobi eius schiava seu serva de partibus Circassie”, at the request of the slave’s owner, a certain Ginevra d’Antonio Redditi, wife of Donato di Filippo di Salvestro Nati.
Leonardo was the eldest son of Piero, but not of Caterina, because, according to the documents in the state archives of Florence, like the “Ricordanze” of the humanist Francesco di Matteo Castellani, it shows that in 1450 Caterina was already pregnant, being a wet nurse who breastfed.
Vecce also suggests that the notary Piero had an affair with Caterina in the Palazzo Castellani, currently the headquarters of the Galileo Museum, on the banks of the Arno River in Florence.
Discovering the Roots of Leonardo da Vinci’s Genius
According to Carlo Vecce’s reconstruction, Caterina’s journey from the Caucasus Mountains took her with chains in her hands to Azov, the ancient Tana, at the mouth of the Don River, from where she was transported by the Black Sea to Constantinople in 1439.
There, she was sold to Venetian merchants, who transferred her to the Venice lagoon the following year, while in 1442, at about 15 years old, she arrived in Florence, where she worked as a servant and wet nurse in Ginevra’s house.
It was there that Caterina met Piero da Vinci, the notary with whom she conceived her illegitimate son born on April 15, 1452, in Anchiano, a small village in the municipality of Vinci.
The fact that Leonardo’s mother was a Circassian princess who was abducted and sold into slavery makes the artist’s story even more remarkable and intriguing.
This discovery adds even more mystery and complexity to Leonardo da Vinci’s life and reminds us that the stories of great personalities often contain surprising and fascinating details that are only revealed with time and research.
Carlo Vecce’s new historical novel, “The Smile of Caterina: Leonardo’s Mother“, offers an exciting opportunity for readers to explore this fascinating story and learn more about the life of one of the most important and influential artists in history.
Discover more about Leonardo da Vinci’s work during your visit to Florence
For those interested in following in Leonardo da Vinci’s footsteps, a visit to Florence to explore his birthplace and learn more about his life and work can be an unforgettable experience.
Discover the best hotels in Florence with our insider tips
The city is home to the Leonardo da Vinci Museum, which features reproductions of his machines and models based on his designs, as well as the Galleria degli Uffizi, which houses some of his most famous paintings, including “The Annunciation” and “The Adoration of the Magi.”
Visitors can also visit the church of Santa Maria degli Angeli, where Leonardo was baptized, and the nearby town of Vinci, where he spent his early childhood. With so much to discover about this brilliant artist and thinker, it’s no wonder that Leonardo da Vinci continues to captivate and inspire people around the world, more than 500 years after his death.
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There are absolutely no evidence in the documents of Catherine’s social status.
She could as well be coming from mountain Jews that lived in that region of Caucasus. Circesians at that time were overvelmingly Cristians. We know she was bubtized in captivity.
Her name is common name among slave converts in Tuscanny.
Why don’t we entertain this theory?
Leonardo da Vinci was only half Italian. His mother, Caterina, was a Circassian Jew born somewhere in the Caucasus, abducted as a teenager and sold as a sex slave several times in Russia, Constantinople, and Venice before finally being freed in Florence at age 15. This, at least, is the conclusion reached in the new book Il sorriso di Caterina, la madre di Leonardo, by the historian Carlo Vecce, one of the most distinguished specialists on Leonardo da Vinci.
Thank you for sharing your perspective on this fascinating topic. Professor Carlo Vecce’s research brings new insights and interpretations regarding Leonardo da Vinci’s mother, Caterina, based on archival evidence and documents he discovered in Florence’s state archives. While Vecce’s work emphasizes her Circassian heritage, he also acknowledges that the history of such regions and people is complex and that various backgrounds and influences were present in the Caucasus.
The question of Caterina’s social status and religious background indeed invites further exploration, as historical evidence can often lead to multiple interpretations. It’s true that names, religious conversions, and cultural identities among slaves were varied, and it’s intriguing to consider alternative theories regarding her background.
Vecce’s book, as with much historical literature, provides a basis for continued discussion, and I appreciate your thoughtful engagement with the topic. Thank you for reading and adding depth to the conversation around Leonardo da Vinci’s legacy.