Even to those who only dabble in art, Leonardo da Vinci is known for his masterpieces, such as the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper. Both manifest the artist's keen power of scientific observation in the way that he is able to precisely reconstruct people or events.
For visitors to "Leonardo da Vinci: Scientist, Inventor, Artist," there will be plenty more to observe. In this display, there are about 260 items created by or related to da Vinci collected from more than 30 museums around the world amply showcasing the talents of the quintessential Renaissance man.
Of da Vinci's total body of artistic work, there are only 12 extant original paintings and murals. According to the museum, the rest are reproductions dating back as early as the 16th century. Of the 30 paintings and drawings on view in Taiwan, only The Angel in the Flesh stands out as an authentic piece.
In Angel, the artist comes across as being suspicious of homosexuality as the angel is seen as a combination of man and woman. Da Vinci's signature gesture of his models with an index finger pointing upward is first revealed here.
A displayed reproduction of the Mona Lisa was made in the 19th century and is said to have replaced the original stolen from the Louvre sometime between 1911 and 1913.
Da Vinci's Last Supper is famous for its use of light as well as the disciples' vividly depicted facial expressions and body language at the moment Jesus has revealed that a traitor lay among them. Their incredulity and conflict is clearly evident, as is Jesus' sense of calm.
Besides paintings, there are numerous other items that show the complete spectrum of the genius' accomplishments -- enough to fill nine exhibition rooms. There are manuscripts with designs and research notes. Models constructed from those notes are a highlight of the show.
Da Vinci left about 5,000 drawings and writings in the areas of philosophy, anatomy, architecture and art theory, among others. We see some of these represented, too, in numerous anatomical sketches, including his famous Anatomical cross-section of a woman, which details the womb, Anatomical studies of the skeletal system and Bust of a man in profile.
Da Vinci as the great inventor who tried "to construct machines which will enable whole worlds to be moved" is also a main theme of the show. Models of his machine designs, such as a military tank and an automobile reconstructed based on a sketch da VInci made in 1493 are displayed.
COURTESY OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF HISTORY
The exhibit also covers interesting anecdotes about da Vinci's eccentric genius, such as how he broke into hospitals in order to study human anatomy and how he only finished his paintings at the begging of his patrons.
To bring more depth to the artist and scientist, the museum has also installed 20 interactive computers recounting the life of the versatile master which display some 8,000 photographs of his work. The displays are in both Chinese and in English. You can also see the exhibit on the Internet at www.nmh.gov.tw or www.da-vinci.com.tw
COURTESY OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF HISTORY
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