Decoding da Vinci
Leonardo da Vinci was a Renaissance genius. Not only did he paint masterpieces of art, but he was an obsessive scientist and inventor, dreaming up complex machines centuries ahead of his time, including parachutes, armored tanks, hang gliders, and robots. On the 500th anniversary of Leonardo’s death, with the help of biographer Walter Isaacson, NOVA investigates the secrets of Leonardo’s success.
Previews + Extras
Decoding da Vinci Preview
S46 E21 - 28s
Leonardo da Vinci was a Renaissance genius. Not only did he paint masterpieces of art, but he was an obsessive scientist and inventor, dreaming up complex machines centuries ahead of his time, including parachutes, armored tanks, hang gliders, and robots. On the 500th anniversary of Leonardo’s death, with the help of biographer Walter Isaacson, NOVA investigates the secrets of Leonardo’s success.
How did Leonardo da Vinci Paint the "Mona Lisa"?
S46 E21 - 1m 45s
To master Mona Lisa's form, da Vinci carefully studied the human eye and mouth—and he dissected at least 30 human bodies.
How Leonardo da Vinci Used Anatomy to Inform his Paintings
S46 E21 - 4m 59s
Modern-day anatomy experts find inspiration in drawings from Leonardo da Vinci’s cadaveric dissections. But they also recognize what he got wrong.
Giving the "Mona Lisa" a Digital Makeover
S46 E21 - 3m 10s
An engineer used powerful lights, cameras, and computer software to digitally remove the varnish from the "Mona Lisa," allowing people today to see the painting as Leonardo da Vinci created it.
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