Leonardo’s
MURALS
and
ART Marvels
2019 marks 500 years after the death of Italian
Renaissance thinker, inventor, and artist Leonardo da Vinci.
Amazon Spheres, Seattle, WA
Even today, we are still all interested in his work and innovative ideas. While a new movie starring that other
Leonard—yes, that’s DiCaprio--will highlight the artist’s biography and triumphs in the arts and sciences,
travel destinations around the world will remember the Renaissance man and the wonders of his great mind.
The art marvels of Leonardo will be featured in events in and around the Italian city of Milan as other cities
focus on highlighting the installation art for which Leonardo is widely known. Leonardo’s influence does not
stop at the famous Last Supper mural located in the refectory of the convent at Santa Maria delle Grazie, a
church and Dominican convent in Milan and a UNESCO World Heritage site which opened in 1497.
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EQUINE Lifestyle
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ART & ANTIQUES
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hile more visitors flock to Milan than any other
Italian city, it is the art and fashion scenes which
intrigue travelers. Events surrounding Leonardo’s 500th will
make the fine city best known for art and fashion busier
than ever. The ceiling murals by Leonardo at the Sala delle
Asse, circa 1498, of tempera on plaster featuring intertwined
plants, fruits, roots, rocks, and white mulberry trees
which were raised by Lodovica Sforza, the Duke of Milan
have been newly restored and are now on view in their
amazing splendor. This amazing work of art found at the
Castello Sforzesco is only one of Milan’s many attractions.
https://www.milanocastello.it/en
Like the fascinating art work in Milan, artistic and architectural
installations are attracting art lovers and travelers alike
to other parts of the world. In New York City, there is a honeycomb
spiral staircase and installation structure at Hudson
Yards with a hefty price tag and a great public relations
presence. The Vessel is giving American audiences and
visitors a new way to experience art. Designed by Thomas
Heatherwick, visitors can climb the nearly 2,500 steps of
Vessel while experiencing the 150 feet tall bronzed steel
and concrete structure. The innovative art structure can
accommodate 1,000 people at one time. With a $150
million dollar cost, climbing the 154 flights actually is more
costly than buying an elevator. https://www.hudsonyardsnewyork.
com/discover/vessel
A far cry from New York’s staircase installation is a round
mass that focuses on the world outdoors. In Seattle… yes,
you had to know that Seattle would be a featured urban
art site amidst an article dedicated to unique art installations.
In Seattle, the Seattle Spheres are turning heads
and making people rethink workplaces and their direct
link to nature. The Spheres host 40,000 or more plants from
the cloud forest regions of more than 30 countries. The
first plant introduced into this art environment located
at 6th Avenue and Lenora Street was the Australian tree
fern. While Amazon workers can choose to work tirelessly
on their laptops, city visitors can explore The Spheres too.
https://www.seattlespheres.com/
Just like in Leonardo’s time, man meeting nature remains
the focus for some of the world’s most interesting art works.
Nature-based
By Dr. Lori Verderame
/www.EliteEquestrianMagazine.com
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