Decoding da Vinci | Full Documentary | NOVA | PBS

Discover the science behind Leonardo da Vinci's masterpieces—and Mona Lisa's iconic smile. (Aired November 13, 2019)

Leonardo da Vinci was a Renaissance genius. Not only did he paint masterpieces of art, but he was an obsessive scientist and inventor, dreaming up complex machines centuries ahead of his time, including parachutes, armored tanks, hang gliders, and robots. On the 500th anniversary of Leonardo’s death, with the help of biographer Walter Isaacson, NOVA investigates the secrets of Leonardo’s success. How did his scientific curiosity, from dissections of cadavers to studies of optics, shape his genius and help him create perhaps the most famous painting of all time, the "Mona Lisa"?

Chapters
00:00 Introduction
04:47 How Did da Vinci Make a Perfect Painting?
09:07 The Original Mona Lisa
14:29 The Early Life of Leonardo da Vinci: Engineer, Scientist, Artist
23:41 The Science of Painting: Restoring a da Vinci Masterpiece
29:17 Modern Day Painters Using da Vinci’s Process
32:24 Leonardo da Vinci’s Anatomical Accuracy
39:36 Mona Lisa’s Smile: Do Our Eyes Trick Us?
44:21 Shocking Result of the Restoration of Bacchus
46:13 Digital Restoration of the Mona Lisa
50:28 Conclusion

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[mascadadelpantion]

I love that Nova always puts up the entire documentary free on YouTube

[ambermcvay]

I am almost 49 yrs old and never understood why people were so enamored by the Mona Lisa, now after watching this, i have to say i am now among them. Great work yall❤

[Newbeginnings]

I started crying when I saw The Mona Lisa back in 2004 when I was 25, it’s called Stendhal Syndrome: it’s an intense physical and/or mental symptoms while viewing Artwork. I cried for like an hour. It was amazing and so beautiful. I didn’t know a piece of artwork could invoke such an intense feeling. It made me appreciate life in a new way.

[VelaGodide-lsln]

He deserve to be called "Sir Leonardo Da Vinci" his art is unmatched ❤

[markpallister]

His ideas were 500 years ahead of those times.... Breathtakingly intelligent and his creativity was off the scale 😮 l am convinced Leonardo knew things that we don't know today ....

[gnome]

Leonardo's work was so broad, it feels like this documentary should be just part of a series on his work. More, please!

[danushaforknneer]

I went to Paris in the late 90’s with my then husband & another couple. We went to the Louvre one day. The others glanced at the Mona Lisa. I was awestruck. They all walked off as I stood in front of the painting. Out of no where I started to cry as I stood there. Was totally overwhelmed. To this day I am not sure what happened. Finally broke away and had to find my husband and travel companions. That memory has stayed with me. That feeling of being overcome with emotion.

[dloadthis]

Since NOVA is nice enough to provide all of us to watch their documentaries free of charge... The least we could do is to click the "Like" button to support them. That is the least we can do! 👍😍👍

[mirkofessini]

Leonardo, onorato di esser nato nel tuo solito paese. Il tuo genio, mi fa emozionare come un bambino e la tua grandezza non possiamo capirla del tutto, perché inarrivabile.

[striker]

I am impressed with the scientific methods and engineering tools used to study the painting by the talented Leonardo, who was an engineer, a scientist, and an artist.

[bgdavenport]

Stunning documentary. I stood right in front of Mona Lisa during my Senior trip in the Spring of '70. I could literally reach out and touch her, though I knew better than to do so. Unfortunately, she is behind armored glass to protect her evanescent beauty from those who have no such restraint.

[ankitt]

Today people see Art and Science different from each other sometimes in contradiction but in Leonardo's world they completed eachother without science he wouldn't have been able to make his masterpieces in art and without his drawings he wouldn't have been able to draw those wonderful and beautiful representations of the human anatomy ! .... He never saw the contradiction between art and science but rather them as one .... What a genius 🙂 ....

[celiamaness]

I have been fascinated by Leonardo DaVinci since I was a child and I found a large book in the public library in my small town about him. He is so out there. He is truly a man deserving of the word genius

[diannehopkins]

To anyone reading this, please pray for my recovery and send positive thoughts my way.

[seo.schweiz]

Leonardo da Vinci was an Italian polymath, artist, scientist, and inventor who lived during the Renaissance period. Born in 1452 in Vinci, Italy, he is widely considered one of the most influential figures in human history. Leonardo da Vinci's diverse talents and areas of expertise encompassed painting, sculpture, anatomy, engineering, architecture, mathematics, music, and more.

As an artist, Leonardo da Vinci is renowned for his iconic works such as the "Mona Lisa" and "The Last Supper." His artistic style, characterized by his use of soft sfumato and realistic depictions, showcased his mastery of light, shadow, and perspective.

[martymagz]

Thoroughly informative and easy to watch.  It is a shame you left out his youthful years whilst he studied the way of the ancient ninja and mastered many martial arts.  His skill with twin katana was a thing of beauty.  You can appreciate how his fine sword skills influenced his delicate brush strokes.  How his time with his brothers impacted his thinking, I'm confident to assume his moments with Donatello and Donatello's machines had his inventive mind ablaze with creative thoughts.

[StephiSensei]

Spectacular! He studied his world, now the world studies him.

[stephaniemcpherson]

I cannot get enough of NOVA. I absolutely ADORE it. I can, and do, watch for hours & hours, episode after episode. I have no idea what’s on mainstream (CBS, NBC, ABC etc…) TV these days b/c I only watch PBS and the occasional on-demand movie. Keep up the magnificent work!❤🎉

[slwtgf]

3:32 enigmatic, without trying or intentionally out to be enigmatic or secretive. That’s what gets me, is how genuine the smile /expression is done…

[heathermichael]

I saw the Mona Lisa as a child, I remember losing my breath and being in love. I knew nothing of the name, the artist or anything, I was just a child. I will never forget the moment I lost my breath to this painting.