Ten Leonardo da Vinci drawings are to go on display in Dundee in another major coup for the award-winning McManus Galleries.
A touring exhibition will make its only Scottish stop in the city as part of celebrations for the Queen’s diamond jubilee in 2012.
Councillor Bob Duncan, arts convener, said, “This is a unique opportunity for people from Dundee and beyond to experience the genius of Leonardo at first hand through these drawings.”
The drawings have been selected from the holdings of the Royal Library.
They have been selected to reflect Leonardo’s use of different media and the extraordinary range of his activities-painting, sculpture, engineering, botany, mapmaking, hydraulics and anatomy.
The exhibition includes designs for chariots fitted with flailing clubs, a study of the head of Leda, a drawing of oak leaves, a double-sided sheet of anatomical sketches, a design for a scheme to drain marshland, a view of a river from a window, a costume study of a man on horseback, drawings of apocalyptic scenes, and a rough study of an old man in profile, one of the last drawings by the artist.
It is being seen as a unique opportunity to view some of the most fascinating and accomplished drawings ever produced.
The exhibition opens at the McManus on August 31 next year and runs until November 4.
It follows on from the success of last summer’s visit of Titian’s 16th century masterpiece, Diana and Actaeon, which drew up to 1000 people a day.
Councillor Duncan added, “People have been flocking in their thousands to the McManus since it reopened last year and the showing of Diana and Actaeon by Titian was hugely popular.
“I am sure that this exhibition will bring even more attention to Dundee and bring visitors here who will enjoy our many other attractions as well.”
Royal Collection director Jonathan Marsden, said, “We are particularly delighted to be sharing, on behalf of the Queen, some of these great treasures with museums and galleries across the UK.”