As for his use of light, it seemed that Leonardo was always anxious … to reserve it for somewhat more valuable. He also painted areas of shades with a great intensity to maintain contrasts. By these skillful techniques, he achieved everything that nature can achieve in its marvelous featuring of faces and bodies… Leonardo`s light was divine. Gian Paolo Lomazzo, 1590.

The year 2022 is marked with the double anniversary of the painter, inventor, scientist and all-around genius of the Renaissance – Leonardo da Vinci. Already 570 years have passed since the birth of the famous Italian and 510 years since he wrote the mysterious portrait of himself as an old man in a red chalk («Autoritratto»)! However, many researchers claim the person depicted in the self-portrait to be rather an etude of the apostle head for the «The Last Supper» («L’Ultima Cena»). Despite this, as the personality of da Vinci himself is shrouded in mist of secrets, so his artistic heritage does not leave indifferent either researchers or admirers.

We heartily welcome to visit the one-book exhibition «Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519): the complete paintings and drawings» displayed at the Circulation Desk of Foreign Literature (4 Turgeneva St., room 356). This book is 44.6 cm long; 29.2 cm wide, 6.5 cm high, and its weight is 8 kg and 400 g! It is an original edition by the Taschen publishing house specialized in art albums. With huge, full-bleed details of Leonardo’s masterworks, it allows the reader to inspect the subtlest facets of his brushstrokes. Ten chapters are tracing da Vinci's life basing on his letters, diaries and writings. This most complete book includes all the preserved and lost paintings without any exception, with “The Annunciation” and “The Last Supper” featured on large double-spreads. In addition, the publication contains 663 drawings provided by Windsor Castle which proved to be the first accident when a castle allowed the publisher to reproduce so many pieces from its collection.

The book exhibition will last until June 30 inclusive.