Art Historian Leslie Primo Explores the Genius, Intrigue, and Masterpieces of Da Vinci’s Milan.

While the name Leonardo da Vinci instantly evokes the sun-drenched squares of Florence - the celebrated cradle of the Renaissance - it was actually in the bustling, ambitious city of Milan that the supreme "universal man" spent eighteen of his most intensely productive years.

The Arts Society Henley welcomes the highly acclaimed broadcaster and art historian Leslie Primo to present a fascinating exploration of this pivotal, yet frequently misunderstood, chapter of the master’s life.

Attendees: TASH Members & their Guests Only.  Arrive early to enjoy drinks, lunch and great company.

Timings: Morning Lecture & Online @ 10:45 / Afternoon Lecture @ 14:15.

The Journey from Apprentice to Master

The lecture will guide us through Leonardo’s formative years, beginning in the rigorous Florentine workshop of Andrea del Verrocchio. It was under Verrocchio’s demanding tutelage that Leonardo mastered disegno (drawing or design) - the foundational intellectual and structural discipline of Renaissance art.  However, seeking greater creative liberty, Leonardo departed Florence in 1482 for the Court of Milan, entering the service of Ludovico Sforza, the Duke of Milan (famously known as Il Moro).

Under Sforza’s lavish but demanding patronage, Leonardo achieved true celebrity. Crucially, the Milanese court provided him with the financial freedom and physical space to fully indulge his famously wandering mind. Here, his artistic practice became entirely inseparable from his scientific pursuits, paving the way for decades of sublime production.

Art, Science, and the Milanese Masterpieces

Art societies across the UK consistently praise Leslie Primo for his ability to seamlessly weave historical context with profound artistic analysis. In this lecture, Primo will examine how Leonardo’s time in Milan triggered a growing fascination with human anatomy and dissection, directly influencing the striking realism of his painted works.

The presentation will look closely at the complex, protracted saga behind the Madonna of the Rocks, alongside the exquisite court portraits that defined Sforza’s inner circle. These include the breathtaking Lady with an Ermine (depicting the Duke's mistress, Cecilia Gallerani) and the mysterious Belle Ferronnière.

Crucially, the lecture will trace the very genesis of The Last Supper—painted on the refectory wall of Milan's Santa Maria delle Grazie - by examining Leonardo’s brilliant preliminary sketches and disegno studies. Primo will also bring the narrative into the modern era, discussing the dramatic discovery and complex attribution of the Salvator Mundi, a work closely tied to the artistic innovations of Leonardo's Milanese period.

About our Speaker

Leslie Primo is a distinguished lecturer with over fifteen years of experience at the National Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery. Known for his meticulous research and engaging, accessible delivery, he is celebrated across The Arts Society network for bringing the social and political intrigues of art history to life. Attendees can look forward to an enthralling journey alongside an itinerant genius, presented by an expert peer who knows his subject inside and out.

Join us at The Arts Society Henley for an unforgettable event of discovery.