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As a new drama starring Aidan Turner portrays the Renaissance polymath’s work and relationships, historian Catherine Fletcher considers what is known about the private, romantic and sexual life of Leonardo da Vinci – from accusations of sodomy to a significant bond with an apprentice…  Published: April 15, 2021 at 7:55 AM On 9 April 1476, Leonardo da Vinci was accused of sodomy in an anonymous report to the Florentine authorities. Leonardo, then just short of his 24th birthday, was one of four men said to have had sex with the 17-year-old Jacopo Saltarelli. The denouncer claimed that Saltarelli had been “a party to many wretched affairs and consents to please those persons who exact certain evil pleasures from him”. Saltarelli had apparently “served several dozen people”, but just four were named: Leonardo da Vinci, then based at thhopse work of Andrea del Verrocchio; a goldsmith named Bartholomeo di Pasquino; a tailor named Baccino; and Leonardo Tornabuoni. This last-named man was a member of a prominent Florentine family who were intermarried with the Medici rulers of the city. As an anonymous denunciation, however, the report was not accepted, and less than two months later the group was absolved on condition that they were not reported again. |
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