Leonardo da Vinci and the Mona Lisa

Leonardo works as a military engineer, designs fanciful flying machines, studies light and shadow, investigates gravity, dissects cadavers, and pens treatises on a vast array of subjects, all while seeking the perfect patron. In Florence, Milan, Rome and finally France, he pours the sum of his scientific and artistic knowledge into a portrait that would become the most famous painting on earth.

Leonardo da Vinci grows up in a Tuscan village surrounded by nature, then moves to Florence, where the Renaissance is in full bloom, to apprentice as an artist and craftsman. He shows extraordinary talent but at times struggles to finish commissions. Later, in Milan, he joins Duke Sforza’s court, begins writing treatises, and paints a monumental fresco depicting the Last Supper.

Step inside the recording studio with composer Caroline Shaw as she joins forces with Attacca Quartet, Sō Percussion, and Roomful of Teeth to shape a score that captures Leonardo da Vinci’s boundless curiosity. This behind-the-scenes film offers a glimpse into Shaw’s creative process, immersing you in the energy and collaboration of the recording sessions.