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Leonardo da Vinci (pronounced Vinchi) was one of the finest artists the world has ever known. He was a sculptor, architect, engineer and a pioneer of many scientific achievements. He was a genius whose many-sided talent has seldom, if ever, been matched in the history of the world.

When Leonardo was eighteen, his father who was a lawyer, sent him to Florence to study painting under an artist named Verrocchio. Here he learned to make his own paints, prepare canvas, mix oils and to generally assist his master. He soon became a proficient painter. He had a vivid imagination and a great love of beauty.

Leonardo soon became an independent artist. He used the backyard of his small house as a studio where he spent many hours sketching models in various poses. He practised endlessly to perfect his drawings of the human head, hands and body. At the same time, he took great interest in architecture and sculpture.

At that time, Florence was the centre of Italian culture. A noble known as Lorenzo the Magnificent, who took a lively interest in arts and crafts, became Leonardo's patron and benefactor. He helped him to become well known in art circles.

Leonardo was the first artist to fully appreciate the beauty of nature and the effect of light and shade. He refused to follow old, traditional rules and patterns and used his imagination and originality to create a new school of painting. He, however, did not stop there. He had an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. He not only studied the human body but also Animal anatomy, Ophthalmic (the science of the eyes), the Laws of muscular movements, and Botany. He was a pioneer in these sciences. His enquiring mind and desire to know the laws which govern everyday occurrences like the movement of waves and tides, opened up many fields of interest. Leonardo had not forgotten his love of music. He made a new kind of lute of silver which had a much sweeter sound than the lutes which were in use at that time. He loved to improvise or invent new tunes on the spur of the moment. He had an amazing ability to do things in new, original ways. He also liked to perfect whatever he did.

In what way was Leonardo a rebel?

A) He was the first to appreciate the nature.

B) He refused to follow old, traditional rules.

C) He had an unquenchable thirst.

D) He made a new kind of lute.