The Da Vinci Legacy: How a 16th Century Solitary Genius Became a Global Pop Icon

by Jean-Pierre Isbouts, Christopher Brown

For the 500th anniversary of Leonardo da Vinci’s death, an acclaimed art historian and an art connoisseur uncover how this elusive artist became a pop icon with megastar status in modern times.

Virtually everyone would agree that Leonardo da Vinci was the most important artist of the High Renaissance. Although he produced few finished works, it was Leonardo who singlehandedly created the defining features of Western art: a realism based on subtle shading; depth using atmospheric effects; and dramatic contrasts between light and dark.

What has never been told before, however, is how these revolutionary inventions were inserted into the bloodstream of Western art—and how they made Leonardo the internationally-renowned icon he is today. This is the great mystery of Leonardo’s legacy: if his tangible output was so limited, how did his mystique as a solitary genius survive five centuries of European history? And why does it continue to fascinate us in modern times?

The Da Vinci Legacy is the first book to unravel this mystery by taking an immersive journey through the art, literature, science, and politics of Europe, from the Renaissance to today. Through captivating text enhanced by one hundred color images, this book takes off where Walter Isaacson’s portrait of Leonardo left off. It captures not only the reason for the enduring allure of The Mona Lisa and The Last Supper but also explores the secrets of Leonardo’s creativity, and the strange phenomena that intervened to make sure Leonardo was not forgotten to the dusty pages of history.



The release of the book will coincide with the broadcast of The Search for the Mona Lisa, a dramatized documentary produced by Pantheon Studios in Santa Monica, Calif., which optioned the rights to The Da Vinci Legacy. Scheduled for broadcast on Public Television in May of 2019, the film was shot on location in Italy and France with more than 60 actors and extras, including renowned Italian actor Alessandro Demcenko as Leonardo da Vinci. Pantheon Studios previously produced the feature-length documentary Walt: The Man Behind the Myth, the official biography of Walt Disney, now streaming on Netflix.

Genres: Art, History, Biography, Nonfiction

320 pages, Hardcover

First published April 30, 2019

About the author

Jean-Pierre Isbouts was born in 1954. He is a humanities scholar and graduate professor in the doctoral programs at Fielding Graduate University in Santa Barbara, California. He has published widely on the origins of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, including the bestseller Biblical World: An Illustrated Atlas; Young Jesus: Restoring the "Lost Years" of a Social Activist and Religious Dissident; From Moses to Muhammed; The Shared Origins of Judaism, Christianity and Islam; and The Mysteries of Jesus. An award-winning filmmaker, Isbouts has also produced Charlton Heston's Voyage Through the Bible, The Quest for Peace, and Young Jesus.

Reviews

[8stitches 9lives · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being a long time admirer of art and the surrounding culture I couldn't pass by the opportunity to read more about arguably the most revered and influential Renaissance painter, but I was concerned that this may be a lot like other titles I have read which merely discuss the art and not the truly fascinating man behind it; however, I needn't have worried as The da Vinci Legacy combines the two: we get some breakdown and analysis of his works, accompanied by some stunning illustrations, so that even those with no prior knowledge of the artist could follow along. It's not only accessible to all but it is also full of very intriguing information.

One of the primary reasons why I feel strongly about having a book that incorporates the artworks and biographical information is that the mind of a great such as da Vinci is an essential part of analysing his paintings. The tenuous distinction between genius and insanity has never been more appropriate when applied to da Vinci. In short, understanding the man helps you understand his art.

It's nearly always those on the edge and staring into the abyss who create the most wonderful, affecting art and who stand the test of time. Here, we explore how da Vinci was perceived in his time and the years that followed, how his quest for perfection impeded his work, his journey into madness and his lasting legacy exactly five hundred years after his death. All in all, this is an invaluable resource for art and Renaissance fans in particular and tells the life story of one of the most enigmatic artists in history. Many thanks to Apollo Publishers for an ARC.

[Katie Dodge · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really good information and super interesting just the writing is kinda all over the place and the main “plot” just needed to be more refined and to the point

[Polly · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I liked most about this book was its analysis of how artists across history and the evolving movements were influenced by Da Vinci -- this influence was, of course, constantly shifting, sometimes completely absent, within the shifting ages. I enjoyed this aspect of the book a lot! I do suspect you perhaps need to be into art history to not find this book dry, because it is not actually focused on Da Vinci per se, and most of the book is in fact about other artists and their works and styles -- it was through these other artists and their copies and studies that really kept Da Vinci alive, so naturally this is what the author had to focus on. You get to travel across centuries of art history to reach today, where Da Vinci's presence and legacy is unavoidable.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fascinating man Leonardo da Vinci was, and what an excellent read this is!!

This book really delivers it all, showing how Da Vinci was seen in his day as compared to his peers, and how his extremely curious mind and his desire to get it exact got in the way of him completing projects and often hampered his standing in the artist’s community and favor with political powers. His genius put him so far ahead of the time that he lived in! The brilliance of the works he did complete, and even his uncompleted sketches, opened new ways of looking at things for artists to this very day. Personal glimpses and the wealth of information presented make Da Vinci come alive for the reader.

The book also contains many beautiful illustrations, sketches, engravings etc. of several artists comparing and contrasting them with Da Vinci’s work to show his influence.

If you’re a fan of Da Vinci, DO NOT miss this biography!!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Apollo Publishers for allowing me to read an ARC of The Da Vinci Legacy in exchange for an unbiased review. All opinions expressed here are my own.

[Paul Chimera]

A trenchant look at a Renaissance Master who has remained a bit of an enigma, yet is revealed like never before in this extraordinarily well-researched, beautifully written book. The authors have managed to be both scholarly and "reader-friendly," combining little-known facts and analysis with an easy-to-read style that keeps one's page-turning hands busy! I never knew Leonardo like I do now, thanks to The Da Vinci Legacy.

[Charles Serabian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Professor Isbouts has great skill in bringing to light things we thought we knew about popular figures of art history, and shifting our perspective on them slightly while giving us new information. I've read many books on Da Vinci, and this one in particular is top tier.

[Sabrina Duncan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read! What a brilliant person Leonardo was. The information in this book is just fascinating!

[James Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read by knowledable authors. Best of their several books about this revered artist.

[Alan Brevis · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful book . Received a reader and enjoyed this much more so than Walter Issacson book on Da Vinci ... well done authors. Bravo five stars

[Matilda Hinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book. The discoveries in this book are just fascinating! So much research must have been done by the authors. Absolutely amazing!

[Ivana · Rating 2 out of 5]

On the 2nd of May this year we marked the 500th anniversary of Leonardo da Vinci’s death. Alas, it was only sensible to expect an avalanche of books about him and his work to come out this year. Being who I am, an art history student and enthusiast, I grabbed every single one I saw.

The Da Vinci Legacy: How a 16th Century Solitary Genius Became a Global Pop Icon is a pseudo-biographical non-fiction book written by Jean-Pierre Isbouts and Christopher Heath Brown.

There is so much to say about this book, however, I will keep it short. The main reason is that I disliked the book quite a bit. I wouldn’t call it an easy read, especially not for someone who isn’t well versed in the subject. But, I am, and even though when I started reading I was not intending to nitpick at details that did not add up about Leonardo da Vinci himself and art in general, I simply could not unsee some of the bullshit I’ve read. I will not provide examples. The only reason is that I do not see the need and do not want to start a quarrel in the comments. If anyone wishes to discuss this further you are free to DM me.

I did enjoy the writing style and some of the biographical segments, but the earlier mentioned details bothered me beyond measure.

As I said I am keeping it short, this will be all from me.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Nm · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this title.
As a fan of most things da Vinci related, I must say I thoroughly enjoyed this book offering a different aspect from which to consider our understanding and appreciation of the great Leonardo da Vinci. The numerous works trying to piece together scarce clues to the life and work of this gifted man, or attempting to understand what made his mind and spirit tick like some magical machine, are too many to count. This read elegantly separates the work and legacy from the man of mystery, and in doing so provides an enjoyable stroll through some of the highlights of art history, pictures most gratefully included! Just what is it that not only allowed this man and his art to endure, but to in fact thrive in comparison to other masters with much more extensive portfolios? Was it merely luck or something more? Read this lovely book and rediscover the magnificent talent of the original Renaissance man and the greats (both appreciated and neglected by the passage of time) that willingly took up his torch cementing one of the greatest legacies the art world has ever known.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book that gives an overview of Leonardo’s life and work, and of the paintings and artistic techniques that made him the leading painter of the Renaissance. The author discusses the contemporaneous biographies and other details of Leonardo’s life and work as well as posthumous accounts to help readers understand the legends and truths connected to Leonardo. The author includes histories of his works and comparisons between them as well as the keen interest of so many people in those works and the artist in an attempt to explain how an artist with so few extant works became such an art history giant. Truly the story of the survival of the Last Supper, painted on the wall of a monastery refectory in Milan and degraded from its inception, subjected to heat and temperature changes, use of the refectory as a stable and finally a near miss by a bomb in WWII is incredible by itself. A great review of Leonardo and his work prior to our trip to Italy.

[Frankie Stanley · Rating 5 out of 5]

would highly recommend this book. Amazing authors

[Nina · Rating 4 out of 5]

“While the Last Supper will always be an object of reverence, the Mona Lisa is now irretrievably objectified.” The author did a nice job explaining why a masterpiece that was crumbling even in Leonardo’s lifetime inspired so many artists and admirers. A combination of events (such as the work being one of the earliest works to be published in Italy after the development of the printing and engraving press) immortalized the painting as much as its revolutionary artistry. ““We know of no earlier instance where the design of one monumental painting, locked in its proper place, was almost immediately disseminated on paper.” Poor Mona, of course, has been copied and parodied ad nauseam. “In 1952, to mark the 500th anniversary of Leonardo’s birth, a group of French art historians undertook the task of creating an inventory of all copies of the Mona Lisa from the 16th to the 19th century. They came up with an astounding sixty-one copies that, in the words of Roy McMullen, are “worthy of scholarly attention.” These days, she’s more t-shirt and coffee cup decoration than respected painting.

I had never really thought about where Leonardo was buried, despite having seen the final resting places of other great artists. Sadly, he was buried at the church of St. Florentin, which was destroyed in 1802. The lead coffins that were under its pavement were melted down for the war effort, and their contents thrown in the dirt.

One complaint is that the images of paintings in the book were tiny, and when I enlarged them on the kindle edition, they were fuzzy.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating reading! The history and events surrounding Da Vinci, his genius, and his surviving work-- is, and always will be a bit of a mystery. This well-documented volume strives to put all the pieces in place, with extensive research and resources, to reason how and why Da Vinci's influence and legacy are what they are today.

I was familiar with bits and pieces of the stories, particularly in regard to the Mona Lisa. I had no idea the Isleworth Mona Lisa existed. The Last Supper and it's many famous copies was also quite fascinating.

I was a little surprised the author didn't spend more pages on Da Vinci's genius in the realm of scientific, math and nature. Still, the information included here is greatly enhanced by its careful placement in world history for greater understanding.

I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Chet Slonina · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent history with many fascinating facts about Da Vinci from his life to death and beyond. The Book does have interesting comparisons to those artists that were influenced by the great inventor, painter and artist. Some side paths are written and they me have been done without but a solid read to add to others regarding this great influence on art.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not so much a biography as a general overview of DaVinci's influence over the last five centuries. The book is well written and informative enough for the lay reader, though probably insufficient for a serious scholar of the subject. There are many illustrations. This feels like a PBS documentary set to print, which I believe it actually was.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

“No one but Leonardo da Vinci could have compelled the ruler of the strictest Islamic nation in the world, where public Christian worship is outlawed, to pay nearly half a billion dollars for a portrait of Jesus Christ.”
This last sentence says it all I think.

[Erwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leonardo da Vinci is still one of the most intriguing figures in the world.
The authors Isbouts and Brown do a superb job of telling us why and offer great details about the life and work of da Vinci but more important what happened with his work and legacy over the last 500 years.

[R P · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book!!!

[Melody Cable · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the bright cover of this book!!

[Judi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engrossing exploration of the threads of art over centuries. Fabulous illustrations deftly show DaVinci’s influences throughout time.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Da Vinci Legacy was an exciting read. The analysis of his work was enlightening. As well as learning about the man behind the art.

I received this galley from NetGalley.

[Jessica - How Jessica Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun overview of DaVinci’s life and legacy. I listened to this mostly on Italian trains, from Rome to Venice to Milan, which gave it an extra level of interest for me!

[Zosi · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Amanda H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting, intelligent, intriguing...5 star read

[Lecy Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a true Da Vinci nerd and will spend more time than I'd care to admit reading about and researching his life and work. This book takes a look at how Da Vinci's work influenced thousands of other artists of his time and after, along with science, literature, and politics. In addition to the text, there are a hundred color images, including side-by-side comparisons of Da Vinci's originals and pieces that were inspired by them. If you are a fan of Da Vinci or art history, you'll love this one. *Advance copy provided by the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

[matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Da Vinci Legacy: How an Elusive 16th-century Artist Became a Global Pop Icon written by Jean-Pierre Isbouts and Christopher Brown was certainly an interesting read. However, I think the scope was much too wide for the length of the novel, and consequently key details were missed.

Had more attention been paid to the finer details, such as the translation of all quotes rather than select ones; the presence of artworks in line with the discussion and not watermarked; and the phrasing I might have been able to provide the text with a higher rating. When non-fiction is presented as a ‘story’, the integrity of the authors must be interrogated.

There is an expectation that you should have read previous works by the authors as they mention that they’ve already provided information in previous books. This text is supposed to be an authoritative exploration and assessment of Leonardo’s enduring and evolving reputation across five hundred years. A reader should not be expected to read another two books to source necessary information. Had the authors wished to reference more in-depth discussions this should have been placed in the notes.

At times, the tone of the text was rather condescending. This was particularly evident when describing the pre-industrialisation of Europe and subsequent transformation in the nineteenth century. Yet, the tone did not affect the entire text. The biographies of artists and creatives across the centuries were often compelling and well-researched. In particular, I appreciated the mention of Matteo Bandello’s Novelle, which was modelled on Boccaccio’s Decameron and was used as a point of reference and inspiration for a handful of Shakespeare’s plays.

In my opinion, the conclusion of the book was rather weak, and argued that in the 21st century, Leonardo has become ‘a maverick scientist and a brilliant engineer’, but this was their reasoning for him enduring through the twentieth century. The authors never delved into the twenty first century until the conclusion.

The select bibliography was surprising, in a non-fiction book I would expect a complete bibliography and credits for the images used. I also appreciate the limitations of the e-book format, but it would have been better if the notes could have been more easily accessed.

I would recommend this to anyone who knows very little about Da Vinci and would like a neat overview of art history. It’s a good starting place for anyone who is intrigued by the mystique of the Mona Lisa and Last Supper, and how Leonardo’s works infiltrated into the European consciousness.

*I received a free copy of this via NetGalley for review*

[DAVID ADAMS · Rating 4 out of 5]

Printed on heavy smooth paper. G0od quality color photographs. Easy to read text -- written for a general audience.