Leonardo da Vinci in Milan: Walking in the Footsteps of an Iconic Genius

When Leonardo da Vinci comes to mind, many envision his legendary masterpieces, yet often overlook Milan—the city where Leonardo spent some of his most productive and innovative years, creating works that significantly shaped Western art and science. Today, Milan evokes visions of high fashion, innovative design, and vibrant business life, but beneath its contemporary surface lies a profound cultural heritage deeply influenced by Leonardo’s genius.

Scattered through Milan’s labyrinthine streets, within stately palazzi and cloistered in tranquil courtyards, exists a remarkable legacy that goes far beyond what meets the casual observer’s eye. But what exactly are these lesser-known wonders, and how could exploring the Milan of Leonardo da Vinci enrich your personal understanding of art, history, and human ingenuity?

Leonardo da Vinci and the Flourishing Renaissance in Milan

When Leonardo da Vinci arrived in Milan around 1482, he carried more than just brushes and sketchbooks—he brought with him the vibrant spirit of Florence’s Renaissance, a blend of bold artistic experimentation and intellectual curiosity. Although Milan today is renowned as a cosmopolitan hub of innovation, fashion, and architecture, this reputation actually finds its roots deeply intertwined with Leonardo’s enduring influence. Spanning two distinct periods totaling approximately 22 years, Leonardo’s time in Milan marked one of the most productive and inventive chapters of his life, characterized by both artistic masterpieces and groundbreaking technological explorations.

Far from simply transplanting Florence’s Renaissance, Leonardo uniquely adapted and expanded upon it within Milan’s diverse cultural environment, working closely with powerful patrons such as Duke Ludovico Sforza.

The Last Supper: The Magnificent Flawed Masterpiece

Have you ever imagined standing before Leonardo da Vinci’s most iconic masterpiece, a mural as celebrated for its emotional depth as it is infamous for its delicate fragility? Located within the tranquil halls of Milan’s Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie, The Last Supper represents not only Leonardo’s artistic genius but also his ambitious experimentation with new painting techniques. Rejecting traditional fresco methods, Leonardo boldly combined oil and tempera paints directly onto dry plaster—an innovation intended to enhance vibrancy and detail but ultimately accelerating the artwork’s deterioration.

Despite its vulnerability, generations of dedicated restorers have tirelessly preserved this magnificent scene, revealing the subtle yet powerful nuances of expression, dramatic interplay of shadow and light, and profound symbolic elements woven throughout the composition. Each figure, from the shocked apostles to the contemplative Christ at the center, still vividly conveys emotional complexity centuries after Leonardo’s final brushstroke. Due to its enduring popularity and strict preservation protocols, tickets are limited and sell out quickly, making advanced reservations essential.

Biblioteca and Pinacoteca Ambrosiana

Located in Milan, the Biblioteca Ambrosiana houses one of Leonardo da Vinci’s most important works, the Codex Atlanticus. Compiled over several decades, this expansive collection consists of more than 1,100 sheets containing notes, drawings, and diagrams created between 1478 and 1519.

Have you ever wondered what went through Leonardo’s mind as he envisioned inventions centuries ahead of his time? The codex received its name from its large format resembling atlases of the era, each sheet meticulously preserved and mounted onto sturdy folios in the late 16th century by Pompeo Leoni, a sculptor and collector who significantly altered the original composition and arrangement of Leonardo’s works.

The Codex Atlanticus covers diverse disciplines, including engineering, mathematics, anatomy, astronomy, botany, and architecture. Among its notable technical sketches are early concepts for flying machines, gear systems, hydraulic mechanisms, and fortifications. Anatomical studies within the codex showcase Leonardo’s advanced understanding of the human body, detailing skeletal structures, muscle configurations, and organ systems with remarkable accuracy, decades before modern anatomical dissections became common practice.

Given the depth and diversity of this extraordinary collection, we recommend spending at least two hours here to fully appreciate the genius and visionary scope of Leonardo’s work.

Portrait of a Musician

Adjacent to the library, the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana presents Leonardo’s “Portrait of a Musician”, one of his few surviving panel paintings. Executed around 1485, this artwork stands out for its technical execution and stylistic qualities, painted in oil on a walnut wood panel—a medium and surface Leonardo preferred for its smooth texture and durability. But why did Leonardo favor walnut wood above other materials?

The portrait’s subject, long debated among scholars, is believed by some to depict Franchino Gaffurio, a prominent composer and maestro di cappella of Milan Cathedral during Leonardo’s time. Technical analyses of the painting, including infrared reflectography and X-ray examinations, reveal Leonardo’s precise underdrawings, confirming his systematic approach to capturing realistic human features. Can any other artist match the delicacy of Leonardo’s sfumato, with its subtle gradations of light and shadow achieved through meticulous layering of thin, semi-transparent glazes?

Historically significant for showcasing the technical evolution of portrait painting during the Renaissance, this artwork exemplifies Leonardo’s keen observational skills and advanced techniques, reflecting both his artistic genius and his empirical approach to visual representation.

Leonardo da Vinci’s Horse: A Monumental Dream Revived

Have you ever considered how Leonardo da Vinci’s boundless creativity might extend even to monumental sculptures? Among the lesser-known yet profoundly captivating chapters of Leonardo’s legacy in Milan is his ambitious equestrian statue, known today as “Leonardo da Vinci’s Horse.” Originally commissioned in 1482 by Duke Ludovico Sforza, this grand project was envisioned not merely as a work of art but as a powerful symbol of Sforza’s dominance and Milan’s cultural ascendancy.

Leonardo meticulously dedicated more than a decade of study, sketches, and preparations to create what would have been the largest equestrian statue of its time. His ambitious vision featured a bronze horse standing over 7 meters tall, showcasing remarkable detail and artistic precision. Leonardo’s preliminary drawings and clay models became legendary, demonstrating his profound mastery of anatomy, proportion, and movement, while the horse itself became a symbolic representation of Renaissance ambition and human ingenuity.

Yet, despite Leonardo’s painstaking efforts, the statue was never realized in his lifetime. In 1499, invading French forces destroyed his clay model, repurposing its bronze to forge cannons, tragically turning a masterpiece into instruments of war. However, the dream of Leonardo’s horse did not fade into oblivion.

Nearly five centuries later, inspired by Leonardo’s original sketches and historical accounts, a remarkable international collaboration brought the magnificent equestrian sculpture to life. American pilot and art enthusiast Charles C. Dent initiated the revival, and following Dent’s death, sculptor Nina Akamu completed the project. Today, the stunning bronze statue, proudly displayed at Milan’s San Siro Hippodrome, stands as an enduring tribute to Leonardo da Vinci’s visionary genius and unwavering determination.

Museo Nazionale Scienza e Tecnologia: Stepping into Leonardo’s Workshop

Can you picture yourself stepping directly into Leonardo da Vinci’s own workshop, surrounded by the ingenious creations born from his boundless imagination? Milan’s Museo Nazionale Scienza e Tecnologia offers precisely this captivating opportunity, immersing visitors in an unparalleled showcase of Leonardo’s extraordinary inventions. Located within the walls of a meticulously restored 16th-century monastery, the museum holds an impressive collection of more than 170 working models, each carefully recreated from Leonardo’s detailed and visionary sketches.

Among these fascinating exhibits, you’ll encounter prototypes of daring flying machines, early armored vehicles, innovative diving suits, and intricate mechanical devices—all precisely crafted to reflect Leonardo’s original ideas and theories. A visit here doesn’t merely present Leonardo’s inventions; it brings you face-to-face with the genius who envisioned a future centuries ahead of his time.

Leonardo3 Museum: A Digital Encounter with Genius

Another remarkable place to explore Leonardo da Vinci’s legacy in Milan is the Leonardo3 Museum, also known as the World of Leonardo da Vinci. Situated in the heart of Milan, just a stone’s throw from the iconic Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, the Leonardo3 Museum offers visitors a unique opportunity to step directly into Leonardo’s boundless imagination and experience his inventions firsthand. Far from being a conventional museum, Leonardo3 invites visitors to engage deeply with interactive displays, 3D reconstructions, and digital restorations meticulously derived from Leonardo’s original manuscripts and drawings.

At Leonardo3 Museum, you can explore immersive exhibits showcasing digital reconstructions of Leonardo’s ambitious flying machines, innovative musical instruments, and groundbreaking mechanical devices. Among the highlights is a detailed, interactive reconstruction of the Last Supper, enabling visitors to closely examine Leonardo’s composition techniques and artistic choices. Through state-of-the-art technology, visitors gain profound insights into Leonardo’s intricate designs and ingenious ideas, bridging the gap between past imagination and contemporary understanding.

Sforza Castle and the Sala delle Asse: Leonardo’s Forgotten Jewel

Hidden behind the robust medieval walls of Milan’s imposing Sforza Castle awaits a lesser-known yet breathtaking treasure: Leonardo da Vinci’s extraordinary Sala delle Asse. Commissioned by Duke Ludovico Sforza, a powerful patron who profoundly influenced Leonardo’s Milanese period, this remarkable chamber transports visitors into a lush, enchanting forest. Through Leonardo’s visionary brushwork, intricately intertwined mulberry branches and leaves extend gracefully across the ceiling and walls, creating the vivid illusion of nature flourishing indoors.

For centuries, the Sala delle Asse was concealed beneath multiple layers of plaster and forgotten by the passing tides of history. Only in recent decades have meticulous restoration efforts peeled back these layers, painstakingly revealing Leonardo’s original masterpiece in astonishing detail. Today, visitors can immerse themselves in this rediscovered marvel, though access can sometimes vary due to careful ongoing conservation.

Leonardo’s Vineyard: A Personal Connection to the Genius

Just a short walk from the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie lies a charming yet little-known corner of Leonardo da Vinci’s life—his very own vineyard at the Casa degli Atellani. This serene retreat was gifted to Leonardo by Duke Ludovico Sforza, offering the Renaissance master a peaceful haven away from the intense demands of his artistic and scientific endeavors. It was here, amid rows of lush grapevines and quiet gardens, that Leonardo likely found moments of calm reflection and inspiration.

Remarkably, centuries later, Leonardo’s vineyard was meticulously restored using cutting-edge DNA analysis of surviving vine fragments, carefully bringing the original grape variety back to life in time for Milan’s Expo 2015. Today, visitors have the unique opportunity to stroll leisurely through this revived historic sanctuary, immersing themselves in the tranquility once cherished by Leonardo himself. To enhance the experience, one might even savor a glass of Malvasia wine, thoughtfully produced from Leonardo’s own grapes—truly tasting history in every sip.

Navigli Canals: Leonardo’s Engineering Marvel

Did you know that Milan once rivaled Venice with its picturesque canals, bustling docks, and vibrant trade routes? The city’s Navigli Canals, now a beloved district famed for lively cafés and artistic atmosphere, owe much of their enduring legacy to Leonardo da Vinci’s extraordinary engineering mind.

Although historians still debate the exact scale of his direct involvement, Leonardo undoubtedly contributed groundbreaking designs to the canal system—most notably his innovative sketches for the miter lock, a brilliant solution still employed in waterways around the globe today.

As you stroll along the charming banks of the Naviglio Grande, you’re retracing the paths that once bustled with merchants and artisans, experiencing firsthand the visionary genius of Leonardo’s engineering innovations.

Milan’s museums, historic palaces, atmospheric canals, and concealed corners offer far more than a superficial encounter—they open doors to deeper, more intimate connections with Leonardo da Vinci’s remarkable genius. Beyond its contemporary reputation as a thriving global center of fashion, innovation, and design, Milan stands as a captivating cultural destination deeply shaped by Leonardo’s pioneering creativity and visionary insights.

So, isn’t it time to go beyond the surface, allowing yourself the rare pleasure of exploring Leonardo da Vinci’s Milan? Dive into the city’s rich heritage, uncover its secrets, and experience firsthand the enduring influence of Leonardo’s artistic brilliance and scientific imagination, still resonating quietly through the heart of this vibrant metropolis.