NATIONAL EDITION OF THE MANUSCRIPTS AND DRAWINGS BY LEONARDO DA VINCI

The story about the Leonardo codices

The Da Vinci Code - The best seller by Dan Brown

Are Dan Brown's theories about Leonardo true?

This famous book has breathed new life into the name of Leonardo da Vinci the world over. Can we be sure though that it tells the whole truth as far as the works of Leonardo are concerned?
Siamo sicuri che però venga detta tutta la verità quando si citano le opere di Leonardo?

Although the story is an enthralling one, it is nevertheless fiction. The fact that it contains some truthful references renders it extremely interesting but also dangerous if these references are not all checked out against historical fact. Some of these facts regard Leonardo and can deceive the reader, who may believe the details described in the book to be true.

Is it true that the Last Supper drawings hides an assassin?

The famous fresco by Leonardo Il Cenacolo (also known as the Last Supper) can be seen in the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan. Recent restoration work has highlighted all the ups and downs of its decay and attempts at restoration. These have contributed so considerably to its fame, bringing to light what remains of the original painting, unfortunately now lighter and "barer", so much so that it is almost easier to get an overall idea of it from a print.
In his novel the Da Vinci Code, Dan Brown talks of the Last Supper as proof of the fact that Leonardo wanted to send us a secret message. The apostle to the right of Christ appears to look like a woman, who in the novel is described as Mary Magdalene.

Dan Brown lingers on the colour of the clothes of Christ, saying he wears colours that are the opposite of those of the supposed Mary Magdalene. A sign, he claims, of a possible marriage between the two. But the colours are the same ones that all of them are wearing in different combinations. Is she perhaps married to all of them as well?

 

Like many others before him, Dan Brown brings up the story about the wrong number of hands but careful observation allows them all to be attributed to their rightful owners, and there is no hidden mystery.

The two apostles at the right of Christ appear to be relating to one another. The traditional interpretation is that Peter, who is talking to John, lays his hand on his shoulder to reassure him.

Dan Brown claims that his attitude is clearly of the "Keep calm or I'll kill you" nature, further proven by the knife and hand at the throat. But what if he is saying "Excuse me can you pass me that piece of bread over there?" The knife in his hand is perfectly natural seeing that they are at table.

The numerous preparatory studies for the Leonardo's Last Supper drawings contain no trace of the mysterious and "dangerous" allegories or symbology put forward by the Da Vinci Code. This confirms the fact that Brown's theories are completely fanciful.

The study of Leonardo's manuscripts is enthralling and serves to make his figure even greater and more mysterious. The Da Vinci Code novel does have the merit of arousing interest in people who are approaching Leonardo for the first time but who should nonetheless not be misled.
Mario Taddei

Our official website http://www.leonardo3.net shows a gallery of pictures that accompany this text, and the codices on our website are available for anyone wishing to carry out a serious study of the real mysteries of Leonardo da Vinci.