'Blockbuster' Leonardo da Vinci exhibition opens in London
09.11.2011
Today marks the opening of one of the most hotly anticipated art exhibitions of 2011, 'Leondardo da Vinci: Painter at the Court of Milan', at the National Gallery in London
The show, which runs from today until 5 February, focuses on Da Vinci as a painter (rather than scientist, inventor or polymath) and features over 60 of his works, including nine of his paintings.
As the subtitle suggests, the exhibition examines Da Vinci's work while at the Milan court of Ludovico Maria Sforza in the 1480s and 90s, and also includes numerous examples by his contemporaries and pupils.
Although missing arguably his most famous work, the Mona Lisa, as well as the mural The Last Supper (an almost contemporaneous painting of same by Giampietrino is on view), the National Gallery is still confident that the collection, including loans from around the world, represents "the most complete display of Leonardo's rare surviving paintings ever held."
With only 15 or 16 of his paintings in known existence, da Vinci works on display include The Lady with an Ermine, The Belle Ferronniere and two versions of The Virgin of the Rocks, hanging together for the first time. Also on display is the recently authenticated Salvator Mundi, currently valued at up to US$200m.
Back in May the gallery generated some controversy over their decision to limit the amount of tickets to be sold to the exhibition. The decision was made in response to fears of overcrowding, and in order to enhance the visitor experience. Admissions will be fixed at 180 every half hour - 50 fewer people than the gallery is legally allowed to let in.
The collection of paintings and drawings has already drawn praise from critics. Writing in the Daily Telegraph, Richard Dorment described it as "the hottest ticket in town" while Jill Lawless in The Huffington Post said it "confirms Leonardo da Vinci as a Renaissance rock star."
Although the exhibition is sold out until mid-December, advance tickets for January and February are available on the National Gallery website