Leonardo da Vinci Wasn't a 'Mythical Wizard' or 'Magical Genius,' New Film Argues

A new, eight-part, 320-minute documentary from Ken Burns will attempt to unpack the life and myths surrounding the iconic Italian Renaissance artist, inventor, and polymath.

"Leonardo da Vinci" is set to premiere April 17, 2023 on PBS.

Leonardo da Vinci was a Renaissance man in the truest sense of the word. He was an artist, a scientist, an inventor, and an engineer, and his work has had a profound impact on the world. But who was the real Leonardo da Vinci? Was he the mythical wizard and magical genius that he is often portrayed to be? Or was he a complex, flawed, and all-too-human individual?

A new eight-part, 320-minute documentary from Ken Burns will attempt to unpack the life and myths surrounding Leonardo da Vinci. "Leonardo da Vinci" is set to premiere April 17, 2023 on PBS, and it promises to be a comprehensive and revealing look at one of the most fascinating figures in history.

Burns and his team have spent years researching Leonardo da Vinci's life and work, and they have interviewed a wide range of experts, including art historians, scientists, and engineers. The documentary will feature stunning cinematography showcasing Leonardo's art and inventions, as well as interviews with historians, scientists, and artists who will provide insights into his life and work.

According to Burns, Leonardo da Vinci was not the stereotypical distant artistic genius of mythology. Behind his creative brilliance was a real person who made mistakes, struggled with deadlines, and was filled with both curiosity and doubt.

“He was a man of contradictions,” Burns told NPR. “He was a vegetarian who loved animals, but he also dissected them. He was a brilliant scientist who believed in astrology. He was a perfectionist who often left his work unfinished.”

Burns says he hopes the documentary will help viewers see Leonardo da Vinci in a new light. “He was not a mythical wizard,” Burns said. “He was a real human being, with all the strengths and weaknesses that come with that.”

Leonardo da Vinci was a true Renaissance man whose work has had a profound impact on the world. He was an artist, a scientist, an inventor, and an engineer, and his work continues to inspire and amaze people today. But who was the real Leonardo da Vinci? Was he the mythical wizard and magical genius that he is often portrayed to be? Or was he a complex, flawed, and all-too-human individual?

Ken Burns' new documentary "Leonardo da Vinci" will attempt to answer these questions and more. The documentary is set to premiere April 17, 2023 on PBS, and it promises to be a comprehensive and revealing look at one of the most fascinating figures in history.