Leonardo Season 1 Episode 1

The Man Who Wanted to Know Everything

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Season 1 Episode 1

Alan Yentob presents a biography of Leonardo da Vinci, revealing the extraordinary story, vision and unfulfilled dreams of the Renaissance genius. He begins by chronicling the artist's early years, from his illegitimate birth in 1452 to his apprenticeship in Florence to master craftsman Andrea del Verrocchio. In his twenties, he made a name for himself by painting an angel and later moved to Milan where he won the patronage of the powerful Duke. During this period he painted masterpieces including The Last Supper and the Madonna of the Rocks, and designed a parachute, which leading skydiver Adrian Nicholas has built using Leonardo's original designs. Featuring a series of performances by actor Mark Rylance as the artist