LEONARDO da VINCI, a new, two-part, four-hour documentary directed by Ken Burns, Sarah Burns and David McMahon will air on WNED PBS on November 18 and 19, 2024. The film, which explores the life and work of the 15th century polymath Leonardo da Vinci, is Burns’s first non-American subject. It also marks a significant change in the team’s filmmaking style, which includes using split screens with images, video and sound from different periods to further contextualize Leonardo’s art and scientific explorations. LEONARDO da VINCI looks at how the artist influenced and inspired future generations, and it finds in his soaring imagination and profound intellect the foundation for a conversation we are still having today: what is our relationship with nature and what does it mean to be human. 

Set against the rich and dynamic backdrop of Renaissance Italy, at a time of skepticism and freethinking, regional war and religious upheaval, LEONARDO da VINCI brings the artist’s towering achievements to life through his prolific personal notebooks, primary and secondary accounts of his life, and on-camera interviews with modern scholars, artists, engineers, inventors, and admirers.

Buffalo Toronto Public Media has partnered with The Burchfield Penney Art Center, The Buffalo & Erie County Public Library System, The Buffalo AKG Art Museum, The Foundry, and The Buffalo Museum of Science for a community engagement initiative around the film. This engagement project encourages audiences to participate in activities and discussion around da Vinci’s influence as an artist, inventor, and scientist. 
 

The Buffalo & Erie County Public Library System has put together a few book lists of all of the Leonardo da Vinci related books in their collections. There are a few books in Central Library’s Rare Book room; appointments to view them are required. There are many books showcasing the work of Leonardo da Vinci that can be found at multiple libraries. The largest collection of books across multiple libraries, are those that are about the artist, Leonardo da Vinci himself.

LEONARDO DA VINCI is a production of Florentine Films and WETA Washington, D.C. Directed by Ken Burns, Sarah Burns and David McMahon. Written by David McMahon and Sarah Burns. Produced by Sarah Burns, David McMahon, Ken Burns and Tim McAleer. Edited by K.A. Miille and Woody Richman. Cinematography by Buddy Squires. The executive in charge for WETA is John F. Wilson. Executive producer is Ken Burns.

Corporate funding for LEONARDO da VINCI was provided by Bank of America. Major funding was provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and by The Better Angels Society and by its individual members The Paul and Sandra Montrone Family; Stephen A. Schwarzman; Diane and Hal Brierley; Carol and Ned Spieker; Michael and Sandy Collins; Mario J. Gabelli; The Lynch Foundation; McCloskey Family Charitable Trust; Cappy and Janie McGarr; and John and Leslie McQuown. Funding was also provided by Gilbert S. Omenn and Martha Darling; the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation; and the Robert and Mercedes Eichholz Foundation.

Local Leonardo da Vinci activities are offered by Buffalo Toronto Public Media and project partners Buffalo AKG Art Museum, Buffalo & Erie County Public Libraries, Buffalo Museum of Science, The Burchfield Penney Art Center, and The Foundry.