He was a polymath, known for his activities as a scientist, an inventor, a botanist, an astronomer, an engineer and, of course, as an artist – to name but a few. But while his sketches, sculptures and paintings have influenced the last five hundred years of artistry and intellectual thinking, how much do we really know about Leonardo da Vinci?
In this fascinating new masterclass with the Guardian’s art critic Jonathan Jones, and drawing on Jonathan’s startling research for his forthcoming book Earthly Delights, you will begin to unlock the true extent of da Vinci’s genius, which is perfectly preserved in his countless notebooks.
As well as being introduced to da Vinci’s notebooks and what they tell us about the man behind them, you will discover the radical scientific ideas that demonstrate his atheist foretelling of Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution, the inventions that reveal how he envisioned the technological advancements that we see today, and even the evidence that points towards his sexual identity.
You will come away feeling closer to the man behind some of the world’s most famous and influential art, as well as a greater understanding of how to read and explore his notebooks yourself.
This course is for …
Anyone who is interested in learning more about Leonardo da Vinci
Those with an interest in the High Renaissance and art
Course content
The radical scientific ideas that show Leonardo da Vinci was an atheist who anticipated Darwin
The evidence for his gay identity
How Leonardo da Vinci’s inventions foreshadowed today’s technological world
How to read and explore his notebooks for yourself
Q&A
Tutor profile
Jonathan Jones writes on art for the Guardian and was on the jury for the 2009 Turner prize. He is the author of several books on art including The Lost Battles: Leonardo, Michelangelo and the Artistic Duel That Defined the Renaissance, The Loves of the Artists, Tracey Emin and a biography of the Baroque female painter Artemisia Gentileschi. He was Series Consultant on the BBC’s Civilisations. Read his Guardian articles here.
Details
Date: Monday 5 September 2022
Time: 6pm-8pm (BST)
Price: £49 (plus booking fee)
This masterclass is available globally. If you are joining us from outside the United Kingdom, please use this time zone converter to check your local live streaming time.
6pm BST | 7pm CEST | 10am PDT | 1pm EDT
You will be sent a link to the webinar 24 hours and 2 hours before the start time of 6pm (BST).
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