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Leonardo da Vinci | November 2024

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Inside the mind of a Genius - Leonardo Da Vinci - A Film by Ken Burns, Sarah Burns, and David McMahon

Leonardo da Vinci, a new, two-part, four-hour documentary directed by Ken Burns, Sarah Burns and David McMahon will air November 18 and 19, at 7pm on WTVP.

LEONARDO da VINCI
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2024, 7 PM
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2024,  7 PM

Sarah Burns and David McMahon write and co-direct two-part, four-hour film, Burns’s first non-american subject

Original Music Composed by Caroline Shaw and Performed by Attacca Quartet, Sō Percussion and Roomful of Teeth

 

The film, which explores the life and work of the 15th century savant Leonardo da Vinci, is Burns’s first non-American subject. Set against the rich and dynamic backdrop of Renaissance Italy, at a time of skepticism and freethinking, regional war and religious upheaval, Leonardo da Vinci brings the artist’s towering achievements to life through his prolific personal notebooks, primary and secondary accounts of his life, and on-camera interviews with modern scholars, artists, engineers, inventors and admirers.

Leonardo da Vinci follows the artist’s evolution as a draughtsman and painter, scientist and engineer, who used notebooks to explore an astonishing array of subjects including painting, philosophy, engineering, warfare, anatomy and geography. Though he intended to publish his writings, he never did, but the film delves into those he left behind to get inside his mind as he strove to master the laws of nature and apply them to his endeavors.

The musician and composer Caroline Shaw recorded original music for the film performed by Attacca Quartet, Sō Percussion and Roomful of Teeth. The voice of Leonardo is read by the Italian actor Adriano Giannini. Keith David serves as the film’s narrator.

“No single person can speak to our collective effort to understand the world and ourselves,” said Ken Burns. “But Leonardo had a unique genius for inquiry, aided by his extraordinary skills as an artist and scientist, that helps us better understand the natural world that we are part of and to appreciate more fully what it means to be alive and human.”

The film weaves together an international group of experts, as well as others influenced by Leonardo who continue to find a connection between his artistic and scientific explorations and life today. As the filmmaker and Leonardo admirer Guillermo del Toro says at the beginning of the film, “the modernity of Leonardo is that he understands that knowledge and imagination are intimately related.” 

 

Episode 1 - The Disciple of Experience

  • WTVP-HD 47.1 - Mon, 11/18/2024 @ 7:00 PM
  • WTVP-HD 47.1 - Mon, 11/18/2024 @ 9:00 PM
  • WTVP-HD 47.1 - Tue, 11/19/2024 @ 12:00 AM
  • WTVP-HD 47.1 - Wed, 11/20/2024 @ 2:00 AM
  • WTVP-HD 47.1 - Sun, 12/01/2024 @ 1:30 PM

 

Episode 2 - Painter-God

  • WTVP-HD 47.1 - Tue, 11/19/2024 @ 7:00 PM
  • WTVP-HD 47.1 - Tue, 11/19/2024 @ 9:00 PM
  • WTVP-HD 47.1 - Wed, 11/20/2024 @ 12:00 AM
  • WTVP-HD 47.1 - Sun, 12/08/2024 @ 1:30 PM
Leonardo da VinciOfficial Trailer
1:10
Published:
Rating: NR

Explore one of humankind’s most curious and innovative minds.

Leonardo da VinciTeaser Trailer
0:20
Published:

Leonardo da Vinci explores one of humankind’s most curious and innovative minds. Premieres Nov. 18.

LEONARDO da VINCI is a production of Florentine Films and WETA Washington, D.C. Directed by Ken Burns, Sarah Burns and David McMahon. Written by David McMahon and Sarah Burns. Produced by Sarah Burns, David McMahon, Ken Burns and Tim McAleer. Edited by K.A. Miille and Woody Richman. Cinematography by Buddy Squires. Narrated by Keith David. The voice of Leonardo is read by the Italian actor Adriano Giannini. The musician and composer Caroline Shaw wrote and recorded original music for the film performed by Attacca Quartet, Sō Percussion and Roomful of Teeth. The executive in charge for WETA is John F. Wilson. Executive producer is Ken Burns.