As the most complete display of da Vinci's surviving work, Leonardo da Vinci: Painter at the Court of Milan, opens to the public today at the National Gallery in London and is expected to be one of the greatest art events of the year.
While previous exhibitions of Leonardo da Vinci have focused on his contributions as an inventor and scientist, Leonardo da Vinci: Painter at the Court of Milan is the first solely dedicated to his life as a painter.
The exhibition was said to be inspired by the gallery's recently restored The Virgin of the Rocks and looks extensively at his work he produced during his time as court painter to Duke Lodovico Sforza in Milan between the 1480s and 1490s.
Leonardo's artistic endeavours were said to be convincing viewers that his paintings were realistic as life itself, while still moulding ideals of beauty. In his religious works, he aimed to create an air of mystery while invoking the awe-inspiring feelings associated with the religious scenes and icons he painted.
Exploring his pursuit for perfection in his craft, the gallery exhibition features many preparatory drawings, including those for the Last Supper, demonstrating how such a large-scale painting was executed.
Leonardo da Vinci was born in 1452 and trained in Florence, Italy, where his talents as a painter and polymath were soon discovered. As a perfectionist, he became restless and moved to Milan to seek the patronage of Lodovico Sforza who also aspired to create visual excellency in his city.
Due to his easily-distracted nature, Leonardo started works but rarely finished them, but his influence on the art world is still felt to this day. The exhibition has been called 'the most eagerly awaited exhibition in living memory' and it is unlikely that such a comprehensive collection of his work will be under the same roof again.
The National Gallery have put in some measures to reduce overcrowding by limiting exhibition visitors to 180 per half an hour to avoid 'gallery rage'.
The exhibition is open until 5 February 2012. Admission times and prices can be found on the National Gallery website.
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