Leonardo da Vinci in the world: Where to see the works of the Universal Genius

Leonardo da Vinci is considered one of the greatest artists of all time. A man of immense talent, whose works have had an immeasurable impact on Western art and are today the highlight of major European museums.

Leonardo da Vinci's skills spanned completely different fields: painting and astronomy, mathematics and literature, sculpture and science. Today, we know many anecdotes about his life, his relationships with patrons, and his works, preserved in the main museum collections around the world and on public display.

From The Last Supper to the Mona Lisa: Leonardo da Vinci's Masterpieces

The mark that the Genius has left on the modern world is still tangible. His iconic works, The Last Supper and the Mona Lisa, are among the most influential paintings of the Renaissance, but there are countless other masterpieces of engineering, paintings, machines, and inventions that today bear his signature.

Where to See Leonardo da Vinci's Works During Your Travels

Most of Leonardo da Vinci's works are located in Italian cities – primarily Florence, Turin, and Milan – but there are other stunning pieces you might stop to see during your travels. Here are 7 places in Italy and around the world where you can find traces of Leonardo da Vinci's genius.

Louvre, Paris

Among Leonardo da Vinci's most famous works is, of course, the Mona Lisa, displayed in one of the world's most renowned museums, the Louvre in Paris.

The Mona Lisa is the most enigmatic woman in history, still the subject of studies by critics and enthusiasts today. A fun fact: at the Prado Museum in Madrid, there is a copy of the painting, the "Gioconda Hermosa," which is believed to have been painted in Florence in Leonardo's workshop by one of his pupils.

• In addition to the Mona Lisa, the Louvre also houses other works by Leonardo, such as Saint John the Baptist and Saint Anne, the Virgin and Child with a Lamb: if you are afraid of long lines, know that there’s no magic wand to make them disappear, but with a few tricks, you can make the visit more enjoyable.

SKIP THE LINE AND VISIT THE LOUVRE TO ADMIRE THE MONA LISA

Santa Maria delle Grazie, Milan

The other great artistic masterpiece by Leonardo is the Last Supper, preserved in the Refectory of the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan.

Admiring the Last Supper up close is an experience to prioritize if you visit Milan: the Last Supper, celebrated in Dan Brown's "The Da Vinci Code," is a must-see stop for tourists worldwide. Consider that the crowds visiting the Church are so large that this masterpiece can only be viewed for 15 minutes per group, with only 25 people allowed at a time.

• Needless to say, if you plan to visit the Last Supper in Milan, you must secure your ticket in advance by booking well ahead of time.

BOOK YOUR TICKETS FOR THE LAST SUPPER IN ADVANCE

National Gallery, London

Among the thirty most important works in the National Gallery's collection, Leonardo da Vinci's Virgin of the Rocks undoubtedly stands out.

The famous oil painting on panel is paired with another minor work by the Genius, the Cartoon of Saint Anne, which is also housed in the London gallery in Trafalgar Square. Here's some great news: the permanent collection of the National Gallery is open to the public for free, so a quick visit will cost you zero euros.

• To avoid crowded times, plan your visit in the morning or on Fridays after 6:00 PM.

VISIT LONDON'S NATIONAL GALLERY WITH A GUIDED TOUR

Uffizi Gallery, Florence

Here we are again in Italy, the cradle of the Renaissance and home of Leonardo da Vinci. Say Florence, and you immediately think of the Uffizi Gallery.

The Room 15, located on the museum's second floor, is entirely dedicated to the artist's extraordinary skills. On display are some remarkable paintings such as the “Adoration of the Magi,” the splendid “Annunciation,” and the “Baptism of Christ,” painted by Verrocchio with Leonardo’s assistance.

• The visit to Leonardo's Room is included in the entrance ticket to the Uffizi Gallery, so there’s no need for an additional ticket.

BOOK YOUR UFFIZI GALLERY TICKETS

Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg

Did you think Leonardo’s mastery couldn’t reach Russia? Think again!

The vast Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg does not disappoint, showcasing two of the Florentine painter's works: the Madonna Litta and the Madonna Benois. The latter is considered one of the sweetest sacred depictions in art history and often ranks among the most beautiful works to see in the Tsars' Museum! Quite impressive, given the grandeur of the palace (the museum's itinerary spans about 24 km!).

• If you plan to visit the Hermitage, the best time is in the afternoon from 4:00 PM onwards.

DISCOVER LEONARDO’S WORKS AT THE HERMITAGE

Vatican Museums, Rome

Another stop in Italy where you can trace the Genius of Vinci is the Vatican Pinacoteca of the Vatican Museums.

Specifically, the Room IX (Leonardo Room) houses works by the artist as well as various Cinquecento masters. The highlight of the room is Saint Jerome, an oil painting on panel never completed by the painter. After Leonardo’s death, the panel was scattered into multiple parts, only to be reassembled towards the end of the 18th century after a fortunate discovery.

• The Vatican Museums may not be the world's largest collection of Leonardo’s works, but as you know, they more than make up for it with other world-class Italian masterpieces: the Sistine Chapel says it all!

ENTER THE VATICAN MUSEUMS AND VISIT THE LEONARDO ROOM

National Gallery of Art, Washington DC

And in America? The only national museum that boasts a Leonardo in its collection is the National Gallery of Art in Washington.

The artwork in question is the Portrait of Ginevra de Benci, painted with tempera and oil on panel, the only Leonardo exhibited in the entire United States. If you are planning a trip to the US capital, standing in front of such a famous masterpiece won’t cost you a thing.

• Admission to the National Gallery of Art is free, as is the case for most state museums in Washington.

VISIT LEONARDO’S WORKS AT THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART

Other Places to Admire Leonardo’s Drawings and Inventions

Paintings and portraits, but also drawings, sculptures, and inventions of all kinds. Leonardo da Vinci was an eclectic artist whose creativity embraced art in its entirety. Here is another list of places worldwide where you can find a publicly accessible work by Leonardo da Vinci:

• At the Czartoryski Museum in Krakow, you will find the Lady with an Ermine, temporarily displayed at the Wawel Castle.
• Over 600 Leonardo drawings, including anatomical studies, equestrian monuments, and moving figures, are part of the Royal Collection in London. This collection is spread across various residences like Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle.
• The Gallerie dell’Accademia in Venice hosts the famous drawing of the Vitruvian Man. A 3D version of the artwork can be seen in Milan at the Leonardo3 Museum.
• Also in Venice, we recommend visiting the Leonardo Museum, which hosts numerous inventions ranging from war machines to flying devices.
• At the Alte Pinakothek in Munich, you can admire the Madonna of the Carnation, one of Leonardo’s earliest solo works.
• The Royal Castle of Amboise and Clos Lucé Manor in the Loire Valley were once Leonardo’s residence. In the dedicated park, you will find life-sized machines built from his engineering sketches.
• The Leonardo Museum in Vinci, his hometown, hosts the oldest collection of Leonardian models dedicated to his work as a scientist, technologist, and engineer. In Florence, just 100 meters from the Accademia Gallery, you can also visit the Leonardo da Vinci Museum, featuring over 50 enormous machines reconstructed from the inventor’s Codes.

500 Years Since Leonardo's Death: A Historic Event

2019 marked the year of Leonardo da Vinci. To celebrate the 500th anniversary of his death and his timeless works, museums and galleries across Italy and Europe hosted a series of unmissable events and exhibitions dedicated to the legacy of Leonardo da Vinci.

If you’ve already visited any of Leonardo da Vinci’s works around the world, share your experience with us!