To be honest, I haven’t studied DaVinci’s life exhaustively. Apparently he was once arrested for sodomy - but the charges were dropped. The conventional wisdom is probably based on that, the fact that he never married, and that he seemed to like apprentices with feminine features. Obviously, that’s not conclusive - but suggestive.
I have never heard that before. Wasn't in his biographies. I don't know how anyone would know what all his apprentices looked like unless they were all identified. His sketches cover people of all ages and looks but most are rather ugly older guys. He liked sketching people with exaggerated and unique features.
Nothing in his sketches indicates to me that he had any interest in sexuality of any kind. Which probably explains why he was so prolific and creative. His mind was not distracted by lust.
He had a good lawyer, charges were reduced to following too close.
Bada-bing.
Thanks, I’ll be here all week, try the veal.