Artist, inventor, scientist, philosopher and musician, Leonardo da Vinci transcends his era. Not only did he create masterpieces never surpassed for their beauty, technique and anatomical accuracy; his pioneering contributions in architecture, engineering and flight, laid the foundations for many modern innovations, making his influence more profound and far-reaching than anyone who has followed.

As part of the Leonardo da Vinci experience THE LUME Melbourne is proud to display original pages from the genius' priceless Codex Atlanticus notebooks, revealing his insatiable curiosity spanning anatomy, engineering, flying machines and hydraulic systems. This is the first time these original sketches have been shown in Australia, representing a once in a generation opportunity for insight and inspiration.
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As with all experiences at THE LUME Melbourne, this isn't your typical stroll through an art gallery as you enter an immersive, digital world where the lines between art and reality blur. Engaging all the senses with sights, sounds, scents, touch and taste, the intricate chronological narrative – woven through the streets of Florence, the canals of Venice and the grandeur of Milan – recreate the ambiance of the Renaissance. The experience is meticulously curated to unveil the life and human side of Leonardo. As visitors navigate through the vast 3,000m² multi-sensory gallery, they will also gain a profound understanding of the inspirations, innovations and enduring impact of the maestro.
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Central to the experience is a journey through the mind of a master inventor with an awe-inspiring display of 50 “machine inventions”, painstakingly crafted by, and on loan from, the Museo Leonardo da Vinci in Rome. Skilled Italian artisans were commissioned to study and construct a range of inventions from da Vinci's sketches, using, where possible, techniques and materials that would have been available to da Vinci himself in fifteenth century Italy. Among them will be flying machine concepts that predate the realisation of human flight by more than 400 years. We’re honoured to showcase this extraordinary collection, offering visitors a tangible connection to the ingenious spirit of the Renaissance.
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Another key component of the experience is dedicated to the pioneering work of the famous French Optical Engineer Mr. Pascal Cotte, consultant to The Louvre Museum. Cotte is the inventor of a multispectral camera that is able to scan from ultraviolet through to infrared. His research peels back the layers of paint, revealing previously hidden details Mona Lisa.
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Mona Lisa Revealed is an area devoted to Cotte’s ongoing discoveries that have been more than 15 years in the making. It includes the only exact 360º replica in the world of the famed painting made from his one-of-a-kind research, with her front, back and sides revealed to us from Cotte’s 240,000,000 pixel multispectral camera. A must-see for admirers of Leonardo’s greatest masterpiece who have never got close to the original – as well as those who have battled the constant crowds at The Louvre in Paris – this is your chance to spend some quality time with “Lisa”.‍