Leonardo da Vinci (Chapter 18-33)
Walter Isaacson
Meeting: January 18 @ 6-7:30 PM
Location: Kelly-McKenna Gallery, 1308 Third Avenue, Spring Lake, NJ
Wine Selection: Castellani Chianti Classico Riserva
Summary: Drawing from thousands of pages in Leonardo da Vinci’s notebooks, Walter Isaacson's Leonardo da Vinci unveils an intimate portrait of the artist that intertwines his masterpieces with his scientific pursuits. From iconic works like The Last Supper and the Mona Lisa to his fervent exploration of anatomy, fossils, flying machines, and more, da Vinci's ability to bridge the humanities and sciences, exemplified by his Vitruvian Man, solidifies his status as history’s most creative genius.
In Isaacson's "luminous" account, Leonardo da Vinci's unconventional life, marked by his status as an illegitimate, gay, vegetarian, left-handed, and occasionally heretical misfit, serves as a reminder to embrace diversity and cultivate imaginative thinking. This biography, described as a "vigorous, insightful portrait" by The Washington Post, celebrates da Vinci's remarkable brilliance and eccentricities, portraying him as a timeless model for creativity and the power of thinking differently.
Wine: The first written record of the name Chianti as a wine region was in the 14th century, and while the black rooster symbol on the label of Classico wines has only been in use since 1924 to promote and authenticate this specific sub-region in Chianti, the Rooster itself stems from a land dispute between Florence and Siena in the 13th century. This lovely Chianti Classico Riserva expresses the very heart of the region. Made by the Castellani family who believe that ‘the quality of the wine starts in the vineyard,’ Sangiovese is the prized grape in this smooth red. Look for red and black fruit flavors with nuances of leather, earth, licorice and sage. Flavorful and delicious, serve with pasta, pizza or salumi, cheeses, oven roasted tomatoes and spiced olives. The style of modern-day Chianti is more crowd-pleasing and less acidic than it was 25-30 years ago. If you have not tasted one in awhile, make sure to pair your next Italian or Mediterranean feast with a lovely Chianti like this one.
About Art Book Club: We meet monthly at Kelly-McKenna Gallery to discuss all topics art, art history, and design.
You can purchase our monthly reading selections here at Thunder Road Books; (973) 436-0914.
Our monthly wine selection is available here at Bottle Shop of Spring Lake; (732) 449-5525