Art Museum Journal

 
The Museum of Science & Industry in Tampa, Florida presents Da Vinci the Genius and Secrets of Mona Lisa, two interactive special exhibitions on view from February 13 to May 31, 2010. Life-size reproductions of various machines and art by Italian Renaissance master Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) provide valuable insight into perhaps the greatest mind of Western civilization. There are no original works by the artist on display.
 
Da Vinci the Genius
The installation is first devoted to Leonardo's contributions to modern science. High-quality recreations of the polymath's inventions, produced meticulously by modern-day Italian artisans, are arranged thematically. Self-discovery by the visitor is encouraged by the hands-on nature of many of the exhibited works. Leonardo's designs for the first flying machines, scuba gear and military tank as well as musical and time-keeping instruments are also featured. 

 

The exploration of Leonardo's thoughts continues with his amazingly accurate anatomical drawings, codices and three dimensional animations of Mona Lisa, The Last Supper, The Vitruvian Man and the Equestrian Monument to Francesco Sforza. Attention is paid to the artist's alphabet, writing technique and preparatory drawings for The Battle of Anghiari.
 
Secrets of Mona Lisa
A new section of the exhibition, Secrets of Mona Lisa, explains the scientific results of a recent examination of Leonardo's masterpiece through the use of patented infrared technology and intense illumination developed by French scientific engineer and fine art photographer Pascal Cotte. His 240-million pixel camera virtually peeled away varnish layers, restorations and preservation attempts to reveal the painting's actual pigments and original appearance. Oversized high resolution prints illustrate Cotte's 25 findings, many not visible to the naked eye.
 
Activities
A children's area provides activities for youngsters. Additionally, Florida artisans display a rich variety of 15th- and 16th-century crafts. These include perfume and soap making, embroidery, glass blowing, Italian Renaissance garments and other domestic arts. All products are created using authentic methods and materials that were common in Leonardo's time.
 
Sources
Galluzzi, Paolo. Mechanical Marvels: Invention in the Age of Leonardo (exh. cat.). Florence: Instituto e Museo di Storia della Scienza, 1997.
 
Kemp, Martin. Leonardo da Vinci: Experience, Experiment and Design (exh. cat.). London: Victoria & Albert Museum, 2006.
 
Lisa, Massimiliano, Mario Taddei and Edoardo Zanon. Da Vinci's Workshop in the Ideal City: Codices, Machines and Drawings (exh. cat.). Milan: Leonardo3 srl, 2009.
 
Pallanti, Guiseppe. Mona Lisa Revealed: The True Identity of Leonardo's Model. Milan: Skira Editore, 2006.