Who was the Duke of Milan who employed Leonardo da Vinci?

The Duke of Milan who employed Leonardo da Vinci was Ludovico Sforza, commonly known as Ludovico il Moro. Leonardo worked at the Sforza court during his first Milanese period, beginning in the early 1480s and continuing until the French invasion of Milan in 1499.

Leonardo initially presented himself to Ludovico primarily as an engineer, describing his abilities in military design, architecture, hydraulics, and machines. Artistic commissions followed, including The Last Supper for the convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie and plans for a monumental equestrian statue honoring Ludovico’s father, Francesco Sforza.

A common mix-up is confusing Ludovico with Francesco Sforza. Francesco was Ludovico’s father and the earlier founder of the Sforza dynasty’s rule in Milan. Ludovico served as regent before becoming Duke of Milan in 1494, so the quiz answer remains the canonical identification.