The latest exhibition at the Biblioteca Nacional de España focuses on Leonardo da Vinci, with a show entitled ‘The faces of the genius’ (‘Los rostros del genio’), which opens on 29 November.
It’s held in conjunction with the Palacio de las Alhajas of the Fundación Montemadrid, where additional pieces will be on show, creating a combined exhibition space of over 1,000m2.
Coinciding with the 500th anniversary of the death of the Italian artist in May 1519, ‘The faces of the genius’ gives visitors the opportunity to see reconstructions of various large-scale pieces that Da Vinci designed, including a giant horse created for his patron Ludovico Sforza, Duke of Milan (he also commissioned The Last Supper), as well as original documentation such as the two volumes of the Codex Madrid, which are now held by the Spanish National Library.
The manuscripts include drawings, maps and scientific writings as well as personal notes Da Vinci wrote such as one relating to his wardrobe and a list of books he left in Florence in 1504.
Among the works on show at the Palacio de las Alhajas will be the Lucan Portrait, which was discovered by historian Nicola Barbatelli in 2009 and is considered by experts to be an original self-portrait of the Italian, although authenticity continues to be investigated.
Running parallel to the exhibition at the Palacio are educational workshops designed by Lego, audiovisual installations, technological applications and a series of conferences hosted by experts in relevant fields.
When: 29 November-19 May, 2019
Where: Biblioteca Nacional de España, Paseo de Recoletos, 20-22
More info: www.bne.es
