rence, to ask his opinion of young Leonardo's work. Verrochio instantly saw the promise in Leonardo's drawings. It was then arranged for Leonardo to move to the city and begin his apprenticeship. In that day, a boy who hoped to become an artist and a member of the artist's guild had to undergo a long period of training. As an apprentice, he lived in his master's house while he learned the secrets of his trade (Williams 16). In Verrochio's renowned workshop Leonardo received a multi-faceted training in preparing and mixing colors, painting, and even sculpting. Due to Verrochio's artistic fame, Leonardo was given the opportunity to try his hand in nearly all branches of his calling. When his period of apprenticeship was over in 1472, Leonardo was registered in the g!
             uild of painter of Florence at the age of twenty. With his unpaid days as an apprentice behind him, Leonardo was now qualified to accept his own commissions, to employ his own workers, and to have his own apprentices. He chose instead to remain in his teacher's workshop for an additional five years ("da Vinci" Britannica 2). Being a member of the guild, he now played a larger part in the studio's work and was allowed to assist his teacher with his own projects. At this time, da Vinci assisted Verrochio on a painting "The Baptism of Christ" in which "his contributions to the landscape and his figure of an angel clearly reveal his superiority" ("da Vinci" Britannica Online 2). Leonardo continued to perfect his talent, and as his reputation grew, so did his confidence. At last Leonardo "bade farewell to his master" and established his own studio in Florence (Williams 27).
             Now on his own, Leonardo began to experience his profession independently. He began by writing a now famous letter to the Duke of Milan offering his services. In this letter he recommended himself primarily as a military and civil engineer. Only towar...