Why does Leonardo Da Vinci still fascinate us centuries after his death? This Da Vinci exhibition in Brussels tried to capture that genius. It was held at the Koekelberg Basilica. This is the fifth largest church in the world. The Da Vinci event coincided with celebrations for the 50th Anniversary of the Treaty of Rome.
The exhibition was called “Leonardo Da Vinci: The European Genius”. It covered all aspects of his work. These included paintings and techniques. Over one million visitors attended. They were drawn in by the phenomenon created by “The Da Vinci Code”. The exhibition showcased European research and technology. It showed that Europeans continue to be innovative. They share a common vision for the future.
The Da Vinci exhibition occupied 3000 square meters. It was in Brussels’ Basilica. The event looked at all aspects of Da Vinci’s work. This included his artistic techniques. A new painting possibly by Da Vinci was expected to be revealed. Another painting of “The Last Supper” was exhibited. This work was contemporaneous with Leonardo’s original. Some people thought it could be by Da Vinci himself.
One of the most complete exhibitions ever on Da Vinci was presented. It highlighted Leonardo as one of the greatest thinkers of the Renaissance. The exhibition presented four themes. These were Leonardo the man. It showed his journey from Tuscany to the Loire Valley. Then it explored Leonardo the artist. It featured sketches, paintings, and sculptures. Leonardo the engineer came next. This part included reconstructions like machines and bridges. Finally, there was Leonardo the humanist. It showed his mysterious reversed writing and collection of codices.
The exhibition showed Da Vinci’s legacy to Renaissance art and science. It extended to the modern day. Original works were on display. These included the Codex of the Flight of Birds. Also featured was Leonardo’s only self portrait. Major museums worldwide lent these items. The Mona Lisa was too fragile to be lent. However, a copy of “The Last Supper” was there. The Tongerlo copy is very faithful to the original. It was used as a model for the original’s renovation.
Interest in “The Last Supper” was boosted by “The Da Vinci Code” novel. Reference was made to the possible significance of Mary Magdalene. A semi-nude portrait of Mary Magdalene was displayed. She holds a veil over her breasts. It had been unseen for fifty years. It was found in a private Swiss collection. It had been attributed to Da Vinci’s pupil Giampetrino.
Da Vinci was a famous engineer. The exhibition showed 45 working models. These were based on Da Vinci’s designs. All were built to scale. They included a parachute and a helicopter. A sailplane and automobile carriage also featured. There was a floating bridge and a double-hulled boat. A 20 meter swing bridge was included. It had never been built before.
Over 100 original works from other artists were displayed. They gave context to themes and subjects. Artists included Raphael and Michelangelo. Canaletto and Albrecht Dürer were also featured. Hieronymus Bosch’s work was displayed. Da Vinci was left-handed. He developed backwards mirror writing. This stopped him from smudging the ink. Facsimile copies of his notebooks were on show. The section on the Vitruvian Man was very interesting. Leonardo based this on studies made earlier. The studies calculated the exact proportions of a man’s body.
The Leonardo Da Vinci exhibition attracted many visitors. People wanted to decode his works. The exhibits were divided into themes. These themes covered Da Vinci as a man, artist, engineer, and humanist. He was also a scientist and mathematician. He was an inventor and anatomist. Da Vinci excelled as an architect, musician, and writer. The show marked 50 years since the European Union founding Treaty of Rome.