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Leonardo da Vinci

Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci and The Battle of Anghiari

Season 1 Episode 2 | 10m 09s

In October 1503, Leonardo da Vinci begins work on a monumental mural, The Battle of Anghiari. But the commission also put him in close proximity to his rival, Michelangelo, who was hired to paint a second mural in the council hall. Just as the central scene of Leonardo’s mural started to take shape, he stopped – abandoning yet another commission. It’s unlikely Michelangelo ever began his mural.

Corporate funding for LEONARDO da VINCI was provided by Bank of America. Major funding was provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and by The Better Angels Society and by its individual members The Paul and Sandra Montrone Family; Stephen A. Schwarzman; Diane and Hal Brierley; Carol and Ned Spieker; Michael and Sandy Collins; Mario J. Gabelli; The Lynch Foundation; McCloskey Family Charitable Trust; Cappy and Janie McGarr; and John and Leslie McQuown. Funding was also provided by Gilbert S. Omenn and Martha Darling; the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation; and the Robert and Mercedes Eichholz Foundation.
Extras
Watch • 7:06
Leonardo da Vinci
Making the Music for Leonardo da Vinci
A behind-the-scenes glimpse into creative process inside the recording studio.
Special: 7:06
Watch • 4:14
Leonardo da Vinci
Leonardo da Vinci's Best Military Invention: The Aerial Map
At age 50, Leonardo da Vinci comes up with his best military invention yet – the aerial map.
Clip: S1 E2 | 4:14
Watch • 8:21
Leonardo da Vinci
Leonardo da Vinci’s Adoration of the Magi
Leonardo da Vinci begins – and soon abandons – the Adoration of the Magi.
Clip: S1 E1 | 8:21
Watch • 17:47
Leonardo da Vinci
Kevin Roose on How Leonardo Can Help Us Grasp Ideas Around AI
NYT's tech columnist Kevin Roose chats Ken Burns about da Vinci's cross-disciplinary thinking.
Special: 17:47
Watch • 16:09
Leonardo da Vinci
Debbie Millman on Leonardo's Legacy of Creativity
Ken Burns chats with Debbie Millman, host of Design Matters, about Leonardo's legacy on creativity.
Special: 16:09
Watch • 22:27
Leonardo da Vinci
Tavares Strachan on Leonardo's Transgressive Transcendence
Artist Tavares Strachan joins Ken Burns to discuss Leonardo's influence on the pursuit of meaning.
Special: 22:27
Watch • 19:56
Leonardo da Vinci
Atul Gawande on Leonardo's Scientific Genius
Ken Burns is joined by surgeon and writer Atul Gawande to dive into DaVinci's scientific genius.
Special: 19:56
Watch • 13:34
Leonardo da Vinci
Krista Tippett on Leonardo's Views of Humanity, Spirituality and Science
Krista Tippett, host of On Being, joins Ken to dive into Leonardo's wholesome humanity.
Special: 13:34
Watch • 17:25
Leonardo da Vinci
Bjarke Ingels on Leonardo's Legacy on the World of Architecture
Ken Burns chats with visionary architect Bjarke Ingels on Leonardo's legacy.
Special: 17:25
Watch • 9:53
Leonardo da Vinci
Leonardo da Vinci’s Scientific Experiments
Leonardo da Vinci becomes more of a scientist with age and performs experiments to test theories.
Clip: S1 E2 | 9:53