Italy 2019 2€ Leonardo da Vinci

The design shows a detail of the painting ‘Dama con l'ermellino’ (Lady with an Ermine) by Leonardo da Vinci (National Museum in Krakow). On the left, the inscription ‘LEONARDO’, the initials of the author Maria Angela Cassol ‘MAC’ and the logo ‘RI’ acronym of the Italian Republic; on the right, ‘R’, mintmark of the Mint of Rome and the dates ‘1519-2019’, respectively the year of Leonardo’s death and the year of the coin issuance. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Leonardo da Vinci, born Leonardo di Ser Piero da Vinci was a polymath born in Italy. He was one of the most important High Renaissance figures who stood out as a scientist, mathematician, engineer, inventor, anatomist, painter, sculptor, architect, botanist, poet and musician. He is also known as the precursor of aviation and ballistics.
Da Vinci is considered one of the greatest painters of all time and probably the most gifted person to have ever lived. Two of his works, the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper, are among the most famous, most reproduced, and most parodied paintings of all time. The Vitruvian Man's drawing is also regarded as a cultural icon being reproduced even in euro coins.