Also, in the same year Leonardo finished completing his first annunciation. Leonardo worked at Verrocchio workshop until 1476 when he set of for himself (Santi 3). Some time in the year 1478 Leonardo set up his own studio, and not long after that received two-independent commissions (Wallace 16). One of the commissions was an altarpiece for the chapel of S. Bernardo in the Palazzo Vecchio, Which is at the civic plaza of Florence. Also, around this time Leonardo did the painting "Benois Madonna" (Wasserman 9). .
In 1480 Da Vinci, became a member of the academy, the Garden of San Marco, where he was under the patronage of Lorenzo the magnificent. This is when Leonardo got the chance for his first venture into sculpture. In the same year Leonardo was commissioned to paint the "Adoration of the Magi" for the church of San Donato Scopeto, which is just on the out skirts of Florence (Santi 3). .
In 1482, Leonardo wrote the Duke of Milan telling him that he had designed plans to build bridges that where strong and very light, and easy to carry. Also, he told him that he had plans to build machine that could destroy fortress, cannons that where easy to transport, covered chariots, and other machines. In the last two sentences of his letter noted that he was a skilled painter and sculpture and would under take any art work that he need done (Wallace 54). Leonardo left Florence and abandoned the commission that he had there, and went to enter the services of the Duke of Milan. .
While Leonardo was with the Duke of Milan he reached new heights with in his scientific studies and his artistic achievements (Wasserman 10). The Duke kept Leonardo busy designing elaborate court festivals, painting, and sculpting. Also, during that time Leonardo did work on designing buildings, machinery, and weapons. He produced many studies during this time including nature, flying machines, geometry, mechanics, and architecture (Wasserman 10).