Leonardo da Vinci http://www.biography.com/people/leonardo-da-vinci-40396
Leonardo was born on April 15, 1452 in Vinci, Italy. He was raised by his dad and his stepmothers. Around the age of 14 da Vinci began having interest in Verrocchio. For six years he learned about leather arts, carpentry, drawing, sculpting, and metalworking. By the age of 20 he started to be a master artist in the Guild of Saint Luke and he established his own workshop. His two most popular paintings are 'The Last Supper' and 'Mona Lisa'.
http://www.leonardodavinci.net/index.jsp
Van Gough
Van Gough was born on March 30, 1853 in Grootzundert, Holland. He was the son of the pastor and he was very emotional and no self confidence. Van decided to become an aritist between 1860 and 1880. He had 2 unstable and unhappy romances and he worked at a bookstore as a clerk, an art salesman, and he was also a preacher. He stayed in Belguim to study art and was very determined to give happiness by creating beauty. He studied many different kinds of arts painting, sculpting, drawing and many others. Van Gough enjoyed painting the most and that is what he made the most.
http://www.vangoghgallery.com/misc/bio.html
http://www.vangoghgallery.com/misc/bio.html