There are few people in history who embody the spirit of innovation, discovery, research as much as Leonardo da Vinci. An extraordinary figure, who has inextricably established himself in world culture, not only in Italy. And from today it will be possible to have a completely new look at his life and his works, thanks to the project Unveil Leonardorealized by Google Arts & Culture.
Unveiling Leonardo, how Google helps us get to know the great intellectual
By pooling the efforts of 28 institutions from all over the worldincluding of course the Castello Sforzesco and the National Museum of Science and Technology in Milan Google Arts & Culture has given life to Unveil Leonardo, the largest online retrospective dedicated to this incredible character. For the first time 7 codes have been merged together in one platform, for a total of more than 1,300 pages of sketches, notes and plans.
Yes you can travel in the mind of this genius, among his writings displayed in an absolutely innovative way. “An interactive visual journey, engaging the audience with a powerful tool to learn more about the complexities and connections that cross the genius of Leonardo, making clear what seems obscure” as described by professor Martin Kempcurator of the experiment Inside A Genius Mind.
But in Unveiling Leonardo Google has merged many other possibilities for those who want to know the Tuscan genius. I am already more than 80 digital exhibitions, created in collaboration with curators from all over the world. A way to deepen this multifaceted figure from different aspects.
The Codex Trivulziano, full of notes and ideas from Leonardo da Vinci
Yes they can study the codes thoroughly, but also visit a real virtual gallery with the master’s most famous paintings. Among the deserving routes, it is worth mentioning The Real Leonardoan in-depth study focused on the more human side of genius, starting from his love for cooking, like a good Italian.
Particularly intriguing is the space dedicated to inspiration concept. Here you can select pairs of images from the codes that a generative AI will combine into a single figure. A concept that would have made Leonardo himself very happy.
A project that required years of effort
Unveiling Leonardo was a extremely challenging projectwhich Google has carried forward by crossing the efforts of almost thirty institutions around the world, as he also recalled Francesca Tasso, Chief curator of the museum collections of Castello Sforzesco. An initiative that after years of work finally comes to fruition, giving a platform accessible to anyone to learn more about the history of this genius.
And just the idea of accessibility and openness to anyone is essential to the project. Unveiling Leonardo is truly a resource for a very broad target. Whether it’s a researcher or a simple enthusiast, a student or a curious child, anyone can find further paths and knowledge tools suited to your needs and interests.
Unveiling Leonardo is a project that falls within the wider scope of Google Arts & Culture. As explained by the Director Amit Sood this is an absolutely non-profit initiative of the Mountain View company, which has been active for over ten years now. Over time more than 3,000 cultural realities around the world have collaborated with the initiative. Of these over 230 (coming from different fields from art to sport, food, music) from our country.
Quasi 300,000 works over time they have been digitized, thus allowing unique access to culture. This was also possible thanks to the institutions, but above all the many curators who joined the initiative. Because, Sood pointed out, Google offers the tools, but they are then the efforts of enthusiasts really give life to these projects.
Unveiling Leonardo unites Google with the Municipality of Milan
Thomas SacchiCouncilor for Culture of Milan, commented the launch as follows on the occasion of the presentation this morning at the Castello Sforzesco:
“Leonardo da Vinci and Milan are united by an indissoluble bond. Milan was the city where he lived the longest, leaving an indelible mark thanks to his exceptional artistic talent, his boundless curiosity and his innovative genius. In Milan we can admire the Last Supper, painted in the refectory of the convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie, one of the milestones of Western art. It is also in Milan that we can visit the Castello Sforzesco, where Leonardo worked on behalf of Ludovico Il Moro and created the Sala delle Asse, the greatest trompe-l’oeil in the history of art that we are still discovering thanks to a careful conservative restoration.
Also kept in the Castle is the precious Trivulziano Code, which reveals the vastness of his inventions and the infinite connections of his knowledge. And again the Codex Atlanticus, the largest collection in the world of Leonardo’s manuscripts, which contains his profound knowledge in the sciences. Thanks to his knowledge of hydraulic engineering, Leonardo also changed the landscape of Milan, implementing the Navigli and navigable canals and the traces of his great work are still visible.
Thanks to Google Arts & Culture’s ‘Unveiling Leonardo’ project, these extraordinary works have been made accessible to an international audience, allowing millions of people to immerse themselves in the universe of the genius of Vinci. The collaboration between Google, the city of Milan and local and international cultural institutions underscores the ongoing joint effort to preserve and promote Leonardo da Vinci’s artistic and intellectual heritage, ensuring that his legacy continues to inspire future generations.”
If you want to discover the project Unveil Leonardo of Google Arts & Culture, we invite you to visit the official site.