A group of international researchers has successfully confirmed the direct male bloodline of Renaissance artist Leonardo da Vinci by analyzing the DNA of his living relatives. The discovery sheds new light on da Vinci’s family tree and adds fresh insight into his personal history.
The confirmation follows three decades of detailed research that combined historical records with genetic testing. The results are now published in a newly released book titled Genìa Da Vinci. Genealogy and Genetics for Leonardo’s DNA, authored by Alessandro Vezzosi and Agnese Sabato of the Leonardo Da Vinci Heritage Association in Vinci, Italy.
The book’s publication marks a milestone in the broader Leonardo da Vinci DNA Project, a global effort to uncover the scientific and historical legacy of one of history’s greatest minds.
Tracing the da Vinci bloodline
Researchers traced da Vinci’s male lineage back to 1331, documenting 21 generations and identifying more than 400 individuals linked to the family. Of these, 15 men were found to be direct male-line descendants of Leonardo’s father or half-brother.
Six of these descendants agreed to submit DNA samples. Tests revealed that their Y chromosomes—genetic material passed exclusively from father to son—shared distinct markers. This finding confirms that da Vinci’s male bloodline has remained intact across at least 15 generations.
The DNA analysis was led by David Caramelli of the University of Florence, alongside forensic expert Elena Pilli. Their work is part of a larger international collaboration supported by institutions including The Rockefeller University and the J. Craig Venter Institute.
In addition to studying living relatives, scientists are now comparing the results with DNA extracted from remains found in a family tomb in Vinci’s Church of Santa Croce. Preliminary testing confirmed that the bones belong to a man from the correct historical period. Ongoing research aims to determine whether the DNA is intact enough for deeper comparison.
Uncovering more than DNA
The researchers did not limit their study to genetics. Historical documents helped identify several homes tied to the Da Vinci family in the town of Vinci. These include two properties once owned by Leonardo, which were later the subject of inheritance disputes with his half-brothers.
The book also details a possible early artwork by a young Leonardo—a charcoal sketch nicknamed “Unicorn Dragon” found on the wall of an old building. Experts say its anatomical features are similar to those seen in his later work. Restoration and scientific analysis are now underway.
Beyond physical records, the authors explored Leonardo’s personal reflections, which reveal a surprisingly modern curiosity about human development. He wrote about how factors like diet and behavior might affect a child before birth—ideas that resemble today’s discussions in fields such as epigenetics.
Agnese Sabato, co-author of the book, said Leonardo’s writings suggest he viewed conception as an act shaped by both nature and emotion, foreshadowing themes now explored by modern science.
This isn’t just about the man who painted the Mona Lisa, explained Jesse H. Ausubel of The Rockefeller University, one of the DNA Project’s leaders. It’s about redefining how we understand our past through science.
For the town of Vinci, where Leonardo was born in 1452, the confirmation of his bloodline has become a source of renewed cultural pride. And as scientists continue their work, the story of Leonardo da Vinci—his family, his thoughts, and his heritage—continues to grow.