Review | Ken Burns takes 4 hours to canonize Leonardo da Vinci. He needed only two.
A new PBS documentary series from Ken Burns lavishly illustrates Leonardo's remarkable achievements, but doesn't fully capture his insatiable curiosity.
PBS is set to air a new 4-hour documentary on Leonardo da Vinci. The series gives a comprehensive look at the life and innovative career of the Renaissance artist and inventor, covering his childhood and early career in Florence, Italy; his time in Milan under the patronage of Ludovico Sforza, Duke of Milan; and his later years in Rome and France. The series features interviews with leading Leonardo scholars, including Walter Isaacson, author of the best-selling biography "Leonardo da Vinci," and Martin Kemp, Emeritus Professor in the History of Art at the University of Oxford. "Leonardo" is a visually stunning series that brings Leonardo's work to life. The series includes high-definition footage of Leonardo's paintings, sculptures, drawings, and notebooks. The series also uses computer-generated imagery to recreate Leonardo's inventions, including his flying machines and his tank, and narrates them with voiceover by actor Stanley Tucci. Use an engaging hook to grab the reader's attention and make them want to read more.While the series does a good job of showcasing Leonardo's remarkable talent, it argues that it doesn't fully capture his insatiable curiosity or the scope of his intellect. Leonardo was a true Renaissance man, interested in everything from art and science to music and anatomy. The series gives more emphasis on Leonardo's artistic achievements than his scientific pursuits. It spends more time discussing his paintings and sculptures than his inventions and engineering work. This is understandable, given that Leonardo is best known for his art as a painter, but it results in a somewhat incomplete portrait of the man.
Overall, "Leonardo" is a beautiful and informative series that provides a comprehensive overview of the life and work of one of the world's greatest artists. However, it is important to remember that the series is only a starting point. To truly understand Leonardo, you need to go beyond the series and explore his work in more depth.
Leonardo da Vinci was born in 1452 in Vinci, Italy. He was the illegitimate son of a notary and a peasant woman. Leonardo showed an early talent for art, and at the age of 14, he was apprenticed to the Florentine painter Andrea del Verrocchio.
In 1472, Leonardo opened his own workshop in Florence. He quickly gained a reputation as a talented painter, and he soon received commissions from some of the most important families in Florence, including the Medicis.
Leonardo's most famous paintings include the "Mona Lisa," "The Last Supper," and "The Virgin of the Rocks." He also produced a large number of drawings and sketches, many of which are now considered to be masterpieces in their own right.
In addition to his painting, Leonardo was also a sculptor, inventor, and engineer. He designed a number of flying machines, including the ornithopter and the helicopter. He also invented a number of other machines, including the tank, the submarine, and the bicycle.
Leonardo da Vinci died in 1519 in Amboise, France. He was 67 years old. He is considered to be one of the greatest artists and scientists of all time.
Leonardo's work has had a profound influence on Western art and science. His paintings are among the most famous and beloved in the world, and his inventions have helped to shape the modern world.
