Leonardo Da Vinci: The Universal Genius

The man from the Tuscan village of Vinci is regarded as the universal genius of the Renaissance, although he only completed a few works. He was an architect and engineer, yet there is not a single building based on his plans, he was a sculptor, yet virtually none of his sculptures are extant. And only a few portraits and frescoes testify to the brilliance of the painter Leonardo. Nevertheless, the outstanding quality of his works, the diversity of his ideas, observations and fantasies still endow the artist and scientist with the title of "Universal Genius." This informative and entertaining film follows Leonardo's trail from Florence, where he becomes a pupil of Verrocchio, via Milan, where he spends the longest time of his life, to Amboise Castle in the Loire, following the invitation of the French King Francis I. in his luggage the old painter took with him the Mona Lisa - the picture that was to make him world-famous. This program also features close ups of many of Leonardo's masterpieces filmed on location.