Leonardo da Vinci

MONDAY - Da Vinci - a genius

​Leonardo da Vinci is widely considered to be one of the greatest painters of all time and one of the most diversely talented persons ever to have lived.  He was a painter, sculptor, architect, musician, mathematician, engineer, inventor, anatomist, geologist, cartographer, botanist, and writer.  Da Vinci was a genius.  

Mona Lisa by da Vinci

Our painting of the week is da Vinci’s very famous Mona Lisa.

YouTube video - A mini-biography about Leonardo da Vinci (3:14 min.)

YouTube Video - Biography of da Vinci for Children (5:01 min.)

TUESDAY - Leonardo da Vinci - a Renaissance Man

The Annunciation by da Vinci

​The Renaissance was a period of time from the 1300’s to the 1600’s in Europe. The word "Renaissance" means "rebirth".  It was a rebirth of the idea that all people should learn about the classical arts, literature, and science.  

Lady With an Ermine by da Vinci

The Virgin and Child With St. Anne

Art of the Renaissance looked for realism and human emotion in art.  The Renaissance started in Florence, Italy where Leonardo da Vinci lived.  The term Renaissance Man refers to a person that is an expert and talented in many areas. Leonardo da Vinci was a true Renaissance Man. ​

YouTube Video - Dropping in on Renaissance Artists (explains the Renaissance) (5:08)

YouTube Video - Leonardo da Vinci Biography - for upper grades (3:50 min.)

WEDNESDAY - da Vinci's Mona Lisa

Da Vinci's most well-known painting, and arguably the most famous painting in the world, the "Mona Lisa," was painted sometime around 1506.  For da Vinci, the "Mona Lisa" was forever a work in progress, as it was his attempt at perfection. The painting was never delivered to the person who ordered it.  Da Vinci kept it with him until the end of his life. 

Today, the "Mona Lisa" hangs in the Louvre Museum in Paris, France, secured behind bulletproof glass.  Museum visitors always group up as close as possible to the painting and photograph it.  The Mona Lisa is regarded as a priceless national treasure for France.

The Louvre Museum in Paris, France

MONA LISA
Below:  A fun video about Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa (3:00 min.)

Below: Video clip showing people viewing the Mona Lisa at the Louvre in Paris (1:00 min)

THURSDAY - da Vinci's painting - The Last Supper

One of Leonardo da Vinci’s most famous paintings is The Last Supper.  

The Last Supper on the wall of the convent today.

The Last Supper was painted on a wall of a Convent in Milan, Italy, and despite that building being bombed during World War II, it is still there today. ​

The Last Supper represents the last meal shared by Jesus with his disciples before his capture and death.  When it was finished back in the 1490’s, the painting was acclaimed as a masterpiece.  Leonardo, who was always experimenting with new ideas, used a new technique instead of the reliable fresco method for walls.  His new painting method became subject to mold and to flaking.  His wonderful painting deteriorated rapidly so that within a hundred years it was described by one viewer as "completely ruined".  

The Last Supper by da Vinci before any restoration.

The Last Supper by da Vinci showing half restored.

Throughout the ages, attempts at repairing, restoring, and even repainting it have been undertaken.  The Last Supper was reopened for the public in 1999 after a major renovation.  It is now protected by a controlled air and moisture environment.  Visitors must make reservations to see the artwork and groups are limited to 25 people for 15 minutes at a time.   Despite the fact that much of Leonardo’s original painting is gone, The Last Supper is the most reproduced religious painting of all time.

YouTube Video - The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci in Milan (2:51)

YouTube Video - The Last Supper (looks at art principles) (1:06)

FRIDAY - Da Vinci's Notebooks

Leonardo da Vinci had many interests in addition to painting.  His observations and inventions were recorded in 13,000 pages of notes and drawings.  These notes included designs for flying machines some 400 years before the Wright brothers' first success.  

LEONARDO DA VINCI'S NOTEBOOKS

YouTube Video - Da Vinci Flight Notebook Goes on Display (:20)

YouTube Video - Da Vinci's Notebooks (6:23)

YouTube Video - Da Vinci Flight Notebook Goes on Display (:20)

Arkansas Visual Art Frameworks

VA.5.4.17  Examine the center of interest as emphasis in a work of art