page_title: Francesco Melzi
section_title: Relationship with Leonardo da Vinci
hierarchical_section_title: Francesco Melzi / Relationship with Leonardo da Vinci
context_page_description: Francesco Melzi, or Francesco de Melzi, was an Italian painter born into a family of the Milanese nobility in Lombardy. He was one of Leonardo da Vinci’s pupils.
context_section_description: From the time Francesco Melzi became an apprentice at Leonardo da Vinci's workshop, his life largely revolved around his master's. Leonardo took an immediate liking to Francesco when he met him as an adolescent at his house in Milan and took him under his wing as an apprentice. Francesco became like a son to his master, and Leonardo like a father, and followed him up until his death in 1519. Francesco quickly became aware of his master's loneliness, seeing past his legendary fame and genius, and felt impelled to care for him, essentially devoting his whole life to him. Leonardo's second Milanese period, when he resided with the Melzi family, is by some considered his most creative years in art and canal engineering. This is the time when he created the engineering plans for the Martesana Canal, which was completed and is still in use.
  Because the two were so close, lived together, and cared for each other so deeply, there have been theories that Leonardo and Francesco engaged in romantic, homosexual relations. However, these theories have no hard evidence and have been largely refuted, stating their relationship never extended past platonic or familial affection. It does, however, seem plausible based on Leonardo's past. There have been no accounts of Leonardo having sexual or romantic relations of any kind with a woman, and he was also charged with homosexual acts that were at the time forbidden during his apprenticeship with Verrocchio, however was acquitted.
  Francesco also influenced his master's religious beliefs. As a man of science, Leonardo was not particularly religious. In Giorgio Vasari's first edition of Lives of the Artists he accused the polymath of having heretical beliefs, however in his second edition revised this statement and states that he "earnestly resolved to learn about the doctrines of the Catholic faith and the good and holy Christian religion." Although he may have overstated his master's devotion to Christianity, it is true that he was a firm believer towards the end of his life, and that his apprentice influenced him greatly—Francesco was a very devoted Christian and they spent much time together. In fact, the only people at Leonardo's deathbed were Francesco and members of the clergy—the vicar of the church of St. Denis at Amboise, two Franciscan friars, and two priests. Because Francesco was the only person resembling family at Leonardo's deathbed, it was he who notified the master's brothers of his death. He described in his letter Leonardo's love for his pupils as "sviscerato e ardentissimo amore", meaning "uncontrolled and passionate love".
caption: Portrait of Leonardo by Francesco Melzi
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