Early in the career of Leonardo da Vinci he lived in Florence and his patron was Lorenzo the Magnificent who sent on on a diplomatic mission to Milan. Leonardo carried a silver lyre as a gift and we believe that he was to play it at the court there as he was considered one of the the best lyre players in Italy. Shortly after this mission Leonardo wrote a letter in which he requested a job in Milan and in his letter he listed his talents which only mentioned painting in passing and at the end of the letter. Leonardo got the job and moved to Milan for the rest of his life.

(The Great Courses: Leonardo da Vinci and the Italian High Renaissance)