An all-in-one world-class artist, sculptor, mathematician, musician and anatomist is hard to come by. As of Friday, San José residents can enjoy an exhibit of some 200 replicas of works by perhaps the greatest multifaceted genius of all time: Leonardo da Vinci. “Da Vinci: The Genius,” the most comprehensive exhibit on da Vinci to tour the world, runs through Aug. 13 at La Aduana arts and technology center in Barrio La California.
“What separates the work of da Vinci from others is the broad scope of his work and his incorporation of natural proportions and mathematics into everything he did,” said Tania Devoto, executive director of Grande Centroamérica, the organization responsible for bringing the show to Costa Rica. The traveling exhibition has been shown in such diverse locales as Manchester, England, Portland, Oregon, Budapest, Hungary, and Macau.
The exhibit has a little bit of everything from da Vinci. Anatomical drawings show the workings of human muscles and tendons in startling detail. Hand-carved replicas of flying machines take up an entire section. Intricate clocks, an early scuba diving suit and even a primitive tank, all originally designed by da Vinci, are also on display.
The replicas were created by Italian artisans who spent years studying da Vinci’s drawings and designs. In addition to showcasing the master’s many inventions, the exhibit offers an interactive tour of his most famous paintings, including the “Mona Lisa” and the “Virgin of the Rocks.” Experiencing the exhibit is the next best thing to a trip back to the end of the 15th century.
General admission costs $18, children ages 5 to 12 and seniors pay $12, and admission is free for kids under 4. La Aduana is at Calle 25, between Avenidas 7 and 9, in eastern San José’s Barrio La California. For more information on the exhibit, visit www.davincithegenius.com.
