ROYAL LEONARDO DA VINCI COLLECTION TO VISIT LEEDS CITY ART GALLERY
by Roz Tappenden
01/11/2005
Leonardo Da Vinci (1452-1519) A study of a woman's hands, c.1490. Image courtesy: The Royal Collection.
Leeds City Art Gallery has been selected as one of four locations to exhibit ten drawings from the Royal Collection by Leonardo Da Vinci.
The exhibition will travel to just four locations across the country in 2006 to mark the Queen’s 80th birthday. The Leeds part of the exhibition will take place between September 7 2006 and November 19 2006. The other shows will take place in Exeter, Aberdeen and Cardiff.
Councillor John Procter, executive member for leisure at Leeds City Council, said: “I am delighted that Leeds has been chosen as one of our venues to host such wonderful treasures from the Royal Collection.”
Leonardo Da Vinci (1452-1519) Studies of gun-barrels and mortars, c.1485. Image courtesy: The Royal Collection.
He added: “The exhibition will provide an opportunity for the people of Leeds and beyond to view a range of beautiful drawings from one of the world’s greatest artists.”
The drawings on loan to Leeds City Art Gallery include studies for painting, sculpture and architecture; studies of anatomy and botany; as well as designs for weaponry and large-scale engineering projects.
Leonardo Da Vinci (1452-1519) A scheme for a canal to bypass the Arno, c.1503. Image courtesy: The Royal Collection.
Among the drawings are studies of gun barrels and mortars (c.1485), a scheme for a canal to bypass the Arno (c.1503) and studies of the anatomy of the shoulder and foot (c.1503).
They have been in the Royal Collection since the 17th century and were probably acquired during the reign of Charles II (1660-1685).
Leonardo Da Vinci (1452-1519) Studies of the anatomy of the shoulder and the foot, c.1510-11. Image courtesy: The Royal Collection.
Because of their sensitivity to light the drawings are never on permanent display – instead they are shown in rotation in a continuously changing display at Windsor Castle and through loans to other museums and galleries worldwide.
The other exhibitions will take place at the Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery in Exeter from March 18 2006 until June 3, Aberdeen Art Gallery between June 14 and August 28, and the Cardiff National Museum & Gallery from 23 March – 3 June 2007.
The Headrow, Leeds, LS1 3AA, West Yorkshire, England
T: 0113 247 8248
Open: Monday and Tuesday 10am-8pm
Wednesday 12pm-8pm
Thursday, Friday and Saturday 10am-5pm
Sunday 1pm-5pm
Closed: Closed bank holidays
Queen Street, Exeter, EX4 3RX, Devon, England
T: 01392 665858
Open: N.B. Main Museum building currently closed for refurbishment, re-opens Spring 2010
However, you can visit RAMM in the Library, Exeter Museum's city centre home while the Queen Street building is being redeveloped.
Based next door to Exeter Central Library in Castle Street, Exeter, RAMM in the library has a range of objects on display and there are also hands-on gallery activities. RAMM in the Library is an ideal place for family visits.
RAMM in the Library is Open Mon-Sat 1000-1700, Admission Free.
Please see our listings on 24 Hour Museum website or the Museum's own website for the wide programme of exhibitions, events and activities taking place around Exeter and Devon whilst the main Museum building is closed.
You can also visit St Nicholas Priory - A Tudor Home, at the Mint, off Fore St Exeter. In part of what was once a medieval priory this splendid building was later lived in by the wealthy Hurst family. It is now presented as their Elizabethan town house with replica furniture, sumptuous fabrics and rich colours. Come and feel at home in this historic family home. Open on Saturdays and on weekdays during school holidays 10.00 - 17.00. Admission £2 for adults (£1.50 concessions), children free. All children aged under 8 must be accompanied by an adult. www.exeter.gov.uk/priory
