Feb. 10–July 29, 2018, Leonardo da Vinci will be (in a manner of speaking) on display in Albuquerque at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science. The special exhibition “Da Vinci — The Genius,” produced by Grande Exhibitions with support from Museo Leonardo da Vinci in Rome and several scholars of Da Vinci’s life and work, presents the Renaissance master’s wide-ranging curiosity and achievements across art, science, music, invention and philosophy.
Born in 1452, Leonardo left an extensive and varied legacy that continues to fascinate. The exhibition showcases original drawings alongside meticulously crafted models based on his designs, giving visitors a chance to see three-dimensional interpretations of his ideas. Among the reconstructed devices on view are concepts for early automobiles, bicycles, diving apparatus and preliminary attempts at manned flight—examples that illustrate how Leonardo blended observation, creativity and technical thought.
Organized to appeal to a broad audience, the presentation emphasizes both the historical context of Leonardo’s work and its enduring influence. Interpretive panels and curated displays explain how his studies of anatomy, engineering and natural phenomena informed his paintings and inventions. The exhibition highlights Leonardo’s methodical approach: careful observation, detailed sketches, iterative refinement and a willingness to experiment across disciplines.
Visitors can examine facsimiles and select originals of Leonardo’s notebooks, where his mirror-writing, annotated diagrams and layered drawings reveal a mind constantly at work. Models reconstructed from those drawings demonstrate how his sketches translated into tangible prototypes—often centuries ahead of contemporary technologies. The museum’s curated experience is designed to spark curiosity about the intersections of art and science and to show how Leonardo’s integrative thinking remains relevant to innovation today.
“Da Vinci — The Genius” also offers programming geared toward varied age groups, from family activities to deeper scholarly talks, so attendees can engage with Leonardo’s legacy at their own level. The combination of original material and faithful reconstructions creates a balanced view of what Leonardo achieved and the ways his ideas evolved over time.
Whether you come for the iconic artwork, the intricate mechanical concepts or the story of a relentless, inquisitive mind, the exhibition provides a compelling portrait of Leonardo da Vinci as an artist-engineer whose work crossed boundaries and whose curiosity shaped both the arts and the sciences.