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Leonardo da Vinci show comes to Bristol Museum
An exhibition of drawings at Bristol Museum & Art Gallery is part of a dozen simultaneous exhibitions across the UK marking the 500th anniversary of the death of Leonardo da Vinci.
The unrivalled collection of da Vinci’s drawings come from the Royal Collection and reflect the full range of his interests including painting, sculpture, architecture, music, anatomy, engineering, cartography, geology and botany.
Few of his surviving drawings were intended for others to see. Drawing served as his laboratory, allowing him to work out his ideas on paper and search for the universal laws that he believed underpinned all of creation.
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Recto: The bones of the foot. Verso: The bones and muscles of the arm
Newly appointed head of culture at Bristol City Council, Jon Finch, said: “We’re thrilled to be one of the host venues for this national celebration of Leonardo da Vinci. From landmark anatomical studies to whimsical pages, the drawings reveal his qualities as a dreamer, note-taker, designer and above all, an insatiably curious observer of the world around him.
“Working with Royal Collection Trust means we can bring globally significant art to Bristol so our visitors are able to enjoy some of the most technically accomplished drawings in the entire history of art.”
The exhibition includes examples of all the drawing materials employed by da Vinci, including pen and ink, red and black chalks, watercolour and metalpoint.
They will also present new information about the working practices and creative processes of the extraordinary artist, scientist, inventor and thinker,, gathered through a range of non-invasive techniques, including ultraviolet imaging, infrared reflectography and X-ray fluorescence.
Leonardo da Vinci, Cats, lions and a dragon, c.1517-18
Martin Clayton, head of prints and drawings at the Royal Collection Trust, added: “The exhibition at Bristol Museum & Art Gallery demonstrates the extraordinarily wide range of Leonardo’s work throughout his lifetime, and is a thrilling opportunity for audiences to engage directly with one of the greatest minds in history.
“His drawings were central to his work in every field, both his artistic projects and his scientific investigations: they allowed Leonardo to work out his ideas on paper, and can be viewed as his private laboratory.”
Leonardo da Vinci: A Life in Drawing is at Bristol Museum & Art Gallery from February 1 to May 6. For more information, visit www.bristolmuseums.org.uk/bristol-museum-and-art-gallery/whats-on/leonardo-da-vinci/
Read more: Medieval manuscript telling lost story of Merlin found in Bristol Central Library
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