Famous Artists : Leonardo Da Vinci

Gr. 4-9. Here is a visual, informative book that is also a bargain. In 32 short pages, young people are introduced to one of the world’s true geniuses; given examples of his art, his inventive vision, and his well-known attention to scientific detail; offered suggestions for their own artistic projects; and exposed to a brief history of the time. Da Vinci’s techniques are discussed and illustrated, and both his successes (The Mona Lisa) and his failures (The Last Supper) are covered. Although much of the explanation of artistic technique is sketchy (e.g., readers will not really understand sfumato without some previous knowledge of the effect), some of the close-ups of the paintings are dark and muddy, and the artist da Vinci is featured far more prominently than the scientist/inventor da Vinci, this resource is still a tantalizing introduction, one that will encourage young readers to further explore the great artist and all facets of his work. Frances Bradburn