Leonardo, a prominent artistic figure in the Italian Renaissance alongside Michelangelo, Raphael, and Titian, created a significant body of work in Florence and Milan from 1473 to 1513, although much of it has been lost over time. From a young age, Leonardo was anointed by Verrocchio as the new master artist of Florence. Despite this, his curiosity to learn as much as possible, and his consistent inability to complete artistic commissions, caused much angst for Leonardo and his patrons over the years.
While Leonardo attempted at least 25 paintings, several only exist as copies today. On display are life-size reproductions of Leonardo’s Florentine oil paintings, in actual size and in chronological order so you may see his progression as an artist. Leonardo’s original paintings are deemed too valuable to move from their permanent locations.
For Leonardo, art and science were inseparable. He believed that understanding the world required constant observation and that theories should be tested against real-world experiences. His artistic approach blended scientific observation with careful experimentation.
Leonardo’s fascination with light, shadow, and the interplay of multiple light sources is evident in his work. He also explored the effects of perspective on distant landscapes. His insatiable quest for knowledge and perfection set him apart as he continuously critiqued his artistic techniques and revisited his paintings.
Leonardo once said: Art is never finished, only abandoned.