Remembering Leonardo Da Vinci, a curious soul

For art lovers – this year is a special time to visit Italy. All across the country – events and exhibitions are taking place to commemorate the 500th anniversary of one of the greatest artists of all time, Leonardo da Vinci. But he wasn't just an artist, he was also an engineer, a mathematician and, above all, a curious soul.

Leonardo da Vinci was born in 1452, near the town of Vinci. Though he spent most of his life in Italy, he died in France, which is now home to many of his paintings, including one of the world's most recognizable masterpieces, the Mona Lisa.

Visitors enjoy the live performance at the Museum of Leonardo da Vinci Experience. /CGTN Photo

There are events in cities across Italy to celebrate the artist's work including an exhibition at the Museum of Leonardo da Vinci Experience in Rome. 

One of the specialties of this museum is that the paintings portrayed here are certified copies of Leonardo's masterpieces.

They have been recreated with the same techniques that da Vinci used and with the same materials that were available to him during the time that he made them.

Paintings are seen at a corridor at the Museum of Leonardo da Vinci Experience. /CGTN Photo

The museum also offers guests interactive models based on da Vinci's inventions…and a window into his mind. There's a glider that resembles wings, an aerial screw, a helicopter-like machine, a bicycle, and a multi-barrel cannon...

The director of the Museum of Leonardo da Vinci Experience said it was da Vinci's interest in different fields that made him an inventor. 

An exhibit is seen at the Museum of Leonardo da Vinci Experience. /CGTN Photo

He said da Vinci "had dreams, he saw birds flying, he created flying machines, his dream was to walk on water, so created machines to do it, and also machines to go deep into water, then to move without muscles with different kind of energy… different machines and parts of machines that we use in everyday life and we didn't know that Leonardo da Vinci invented them 500 years ago."

The museum also combines music with art to give visitors a special experience. Live performances by musicians take the guests back to the time of the Renaissance. Paola Alonzi is an opera singer who performs at the museum frequently. 

Visitors enjoy the live performance at the Museum of Leonardo da Vinci Experience. /CGTN Photo

Alonzi said she felt like music gives art life. "A painting is a thing that seems not alive because you can see it and it can't say anything, but with the music, that painting could be alive again because we choose musical pieces that are connected with that painting," she said.

Quincentennial events to remember the Italian master will take place throughout the year in Italy, with a culmination on May 2, the day da Vinci died. 

(CGTN)