Leonardo da Vinci

Leonardo di ser Piero da Vinci, mainly known as Leonardo da Vinci, was a fifteenth-century scientist who explored countless areas of interest, earning him renown as an exemplary polymath. He painted numerous works of art, including Mona Lisa, The Last Supper, and Lady with an Ermine, while also making several investigations in various fields of science. His notebooks contained descriptions and designs for inventions that could only be realized in the future, including helicopters (which was then called "aerial screws"), tanks, parachutes, cannons, and much more. In Mario's Time Machine, Mario travels back in time to return his Notebook it is stolen by Bowser.

Background
Leonardo was born on April 15, 1452, in the village of Vinci, during a period dubbed the Renaissance that welcomed an intellectual and artistic reawakening. As a child, he served as an apprentice painter in Florence, later finding work in Rome and Milan as well. In 1505, he operated in Florence with his own workshop, where he was working on completing his Mona Lisa.

Mario's Time Machine
Leonardo's Notebook is stolen by Bowser after the latter goes back in time using his Timulator, wanting to create a museum using stolen artifacts. Mario later takes the Timulator and the Notebook and travels back in time to Florence in order to return the notebook (without actually knowing that the Notebook belongs to Leonardo). When first visiting Leonardo, Mario's only option is to say that he is lost, though Leonardo angrily tells him to leave as he has lost his Notebook. Leonardo can only be given his Notebook once Mario questions the locals, including Michelangelo Buonarroti, about the area and absolutely confirm that the Notebook belongs to Leonardo. Once Mario knows Leonardo's identity and gives him his Notebook, Leonardo thanks him, saying that he can finally complete the Mona Lisa, and also asks Mario to call him "Leo". Mario then asks about the lack of smile on the Mona Lisa; Leonardo explains that she actually has a subtle smile, one that he hopes causes people to wonder what she is smiling about for generations to come.