“Sister Wendy Beckett has transformed public appreciation of art through her astonishing knowledge, insight and passion for painting and painters.” This set includes Sister Wendy's Story of Painting, Sister Wendy's Odyssey, and Sister Wendy's Grand Tour. Simultaneously delightful and scholarly--this is a must have for anyone interested in art history.
Wednesday, July 16, 2014 at 11:23AM 
Leonardo Da Vinci started painting the Mona Lisa in 1504 or 1505 and finished only shortly before he died in 1519. Some reports say that it took him 10 years to perfect Mona Lisa's lips. It should be noted, however, that he kept returning to the painting. It was not the only project he worked on during those 10 years.
Thursday, March 28, 2013 at 11:12AM 
Leonardo da Vinci - The Last Supper - 1498 - Mixed technique, 460 x 880 cm - Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie, Milan (click photo for larger image)Holy Thursday commemorates The Last Supper that Jesus Christ shared with His Apostles--and is a scene represented quite often in Christian art. The most famous interpretation is the 1498 masterpiece by Leonardo da Vinci.
“Leonardo's painting of the Last Supper was constructed symmetrically according to the laws of central perspective, with a main figure, Jesus, in the centre. He is physically and psychologically isolated from the other figures and with his hands is pointing to the bread and wine, making the introduction of the Eucharist the central event. In Leonardo's conception, the other figures are reacting directly to Jesus, and at the same time, some of them are coming into contact with each other.”
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Leonardo’s masterwork marks the dividing line between the Early and High Renaissance--and is truly a work of genius. For those of you who are interested in learning a good deal more about this extraordinary painting, there’s a wonderful virtual history iOS app available, entitled “Ultima Cena - Virtual History”. It goes into the entire process of the creation of Leonardo’s Last Supper--from its inception and right through the attempts to restore it. It includes numerous drawings that enable us to see the master’s work process. I highly recommend the app.
Thursday, March 21, 2013 at 11:08AM 
Leonardo da Vinci - Vitruvian Man - 1492 - Pen, ink, watercolour and metalpoint on paper, 343 x 245 mm - Gallerie dell'Accademia, Venice (click photo for larger image) 
Leonardo da Vinci - Anatomical studies of the shoulder - 1510-11 - Black chalk, pen and ink on paper, 289 x 199 mm - Royal Library, Windsor (click photo for larger image)
“He has long been praised as one of the finest artists of the Renaissance, working far ahead of his time and producing some of the world’s most recognisable works. But Leonardo da Vinci has finally received the credit he deserves for his 'startling' medical accuracy hundreds of years in advance of his peers, as scientists match his anatomical drawings with modern day MRI scans.”
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Tuesday, October 23, 2012 at 2:24PM 
Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519), Salvator Mundi, c. 1500 Oil on walnut panel, 25 13/16 X 17 7/8 inches (65.6 X 45.4 cm) - ⓒ 2011 SALVATOR MUNDI LLC
“A painting by Leonardo da Vinci that was lost for centuries has been authenticated by distinguished scholars in the United States and Europe and will be exhibited at London’s National Gallery as part of a Leonardo show that opens November 9, 2012.”
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Monday, October 1, 2012 at 11:11AM 
Mona Lisa Foundation | Getty images
“A second, earlier version of the Mona Lisa was unveiled to the public today, a version that experts say they can prove is the work of the master himself.”
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As one would expect, there’s a tremendous amount of debate going on as to whether or not this painting (the “Isleworth Mona Lisa”) of a younger Lisa del Giocondo is, in fact, a Leonardo. The master had a number of followers in his day. Also, “Isleworth Mona Lisa” is painted on canvas, whereas Leonardo’s other works are painted on wood. While it’s been argued that the exactness of the positions of both figures supports a view of the Isleworth piece as a true Leonardo, this could certainly be achieved by a good copyist. Some scholars hold that the Isleworth piece is an earlier portrait--in that the figure appears to be younger--and thus was most likely done by Leonardo. Again, however, this youthfulness could have been achieved by any good copyist. So...I’m skeptical. I tend to think that the Louvre “Mona Lisa” is the only Leonardo portrait of this woman.