2019: The Year of Leonardo
This year marks the 500th anniversary of Leonardo da Vinci's death, and Italy is pulling out all the stops to honor one of the country's greatest luminaries, a polymath whose genius covered everything from engineering to art, with a number of blockbuster shows in major cities and even the town of Vinci, Leonardo's birthplace.
Leonardo da Vinci lived in Milan for about two decades, and the city is honoring its famous resident with a number of exhibitions from May of this year (da Vinci died in May of 1519) to January 2020. Some of the most important include four separate exhibits at the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana running from March to the following January, three of which focus on the Codex Atlanticus, the largest bound set of drawings and writings in the world and conserved at the Biblioteca Ambrosiana. A number of foglios taken from the Codex will be on display, and visitors can see original drawings and scientific studies. The final exhibit, Leonardo's Legacy: Artists and Techniques, will include a collection of sketches and other artworks by Leonardo and his school.
Milan isn't the only capital celebrating Leonardo da Vinci's life and work this year. Florence, the city where Leonardo's skill as a scientist and artist was honed, is dedicating the 12th edition of the Florence Biennale (https://www.florencebiennale.org/en/) to the master, taking place the the final two weeks of October. During these weeks, a number of exhibitions dedicated to Leonardo and his influence on contemporary art and design are scheduled at locations across the city. Just as Leonardo has influenced centuries of artists and scientists, so was he influenced by prominent artists of the early Renaissance. To understand his role in the artistic evolution of the 16th century, visit Verrocchio, Master of Leonardo (March 9 - July 14) at the Palazzo Strozzi and Bargello Museum, where masterpieces by Andrea del Verrocchio will be displayed in relation to works by artists like Pietro Perugino, Domenico Ghirlandaio, and Leonardo da Vinci, Verrocchio's most celebrated pupil.
Rome is also throwing its hat in the ring with a major exhibition devoted to the Renaissance genius scheduled at the Scuderie del Quirinale (March 13 - July 28) entitled Leonardo. Oltre il mito. Few details have been released about the specifics of the show, but it promises to me one of the most important cultural events of the year in Rome.
It comes as no surprise that Leonardo's home town of Vinci, outside Florence, is also celebrating its most famous citizen. There are a number exhibitions and events scheduled, but the highlight is Leonardo a Vinci: The Origins of a Genius at the newly restored Leonardo da Vinci's Birthplace Museum (from June 22). Visitors will learn about Leonardo's childhood and youth and see some little-known sketches and drawings. The crown jewel of the exhibition is the Paesaggio 8P*,* on loan from the Uffizi's Department of Prints and Drawings, the first known work of the genius dated from August 5th, 1473.
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Contributor: Rebecca Winke
CIU Travel | Concierge in Umbria | Contact Us
2018 Wendy Perrin WOW List — Trusted Travel Expert for Italy
Public Domain, Link
Milan
Leonardo da Vinci lived in Milan for about two decades, and the city is honoring its famous resident with a number of exhibitions from May of this year (da Vinci died in May of 1519) to January 2020. Some of the most important include four separate exhibits at the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana running from March to the following January, three of which focus on the Codex Atlanticus, the largest bound set of drawings and writings in the world and conserved at the Biblioteca Ambrosiana. A number of foglios taken from the Codex will be on display, and visitors can see original drawings and scientific studies. The final exhibit, Leonardo's Legacy: Artists and Techniques, will include a collection of sketches and other artworks by Leonardo and his school.
By Leonardo da Vinci - http://www.fulcrumgallery.com/Leonardo-Da-Vinci/Facsimile-of-Codex-Atlanticus-Screws-and-Water-Wheels_687125.htm, Public Domain, Link
By Leonardo da Vinci - Web Gallery of Art: Image Info about artwork, Public Domain, Link
By Leonardo da Vinci - High resolution scan by http://www.haltadefinizione.com/ in collaboration with the Italian ministry of culture. Scan details, Public Domain, Link
Florence
Milan isn't the only capital celebrating Leonardo da Vinci's life and work this year. Florence, the city where Leonardo's skill as a scientist and artist was honed, is dedicating the 12th edition of the Florence Biennale (https://www.florencebiennale.org/en/) to the master, taking place the the final two weeks of October. During these weeks, a number of exhibitions dedicated to Leonardo and his influence on contemporary art and design are scheduled at locations across the city. Just as Leonardo has influenced centuries of artists and scientists, so was he influenced by prominent artists of the early Renaissance. To understand his role in the artistic evolution of the 16th century, visit Verrocchio, Master of Leonardo (March 9 - July 14) at the Palazzo Strozzi and Bargello Museum, where masterpieces by Andrea del Verrocchio will be displayed in relation to works by artists like Pietro Perugino, Domenico Ghirlandaio, and Leonardo da Vinci, Verrocchio's most celebrated pupil.
By Andrea Verrocchio - The Yorck Project (2002) 10.000 Meisterwerke der Malerei (DVD-ROM), distributed by DIRECTMEDIA Publishing GmbH. ISBN: 3936122202., Public Domain, Link
Rome
Rome is also throwing its hat in the ring with a major exhibition devoted to the Renaissance genius scheduled at the Scuderie del Quirinale (March 13 - July 28) entitled Leonardo. Oltre il mito. Few details have been released about the specifics of the show, but it promises to me one of the most important cultural events of the year in Rome.
By Francesco Melzi - Web Gallery of Art: Image Info about artwork, Public Domain, Link
Vinci
It comes as no surprise that Leonardo's home town of Vinci, outside Florence, is also celebrating its most famous citizen. There are a number exhibitions and events scheduled, but the highlight is Leonardo a Vinci: The Origins of a Genius at the newly restored Leonardo da Vinci's Birthplace Museum (from June 22). Visitors will learn about Leonardo's childhood and youth and see some little-known sketches and drawings. The crown jewel of the exhibition is the Paesaggio 8P*,* on loan from the Uffizi's Department of Prints and Drawings, the first known work of the genius dated from August 5th, 1473.
Related posts
Italy's Top Ten Masterpieces
Discover Milan
Florence with Kids: A Family Friendly Tour
Contributor: Rebecca Winke
CIU Travel | Concierge in Umbria | Contact Us
2018 Wendy Perrin WOW List — Trusted Travel Expert for Italy