Ginevra de Benci, the first portrait by Leonardo da Vinci, is both haunting and hypnotic. This magnificent and mysterious painting conceals a multitude of secrets. Utilizing the potential of x-ray analysis, infrared reflectography and the power of computer technology, this program delves beneath the surface of the painting to unveil fascinating stories about both Ginevra and da Vinci.
The program provides answers to questions such as: who Ginevra was and how Leonardo came to paint her; why the panel is painted on both sides; how it was drastically cut-down; why it was sealed in the safety of a wine cellar; and what mysterious chain of events brought it to the National Gallery of Art – the only Leonardo in the Western hemisphere.
Narrated by Meryl Streep.
56 Minutes, Color
