LEONARDO DA VINCI

Alfred Molina's narration is easy to follow as the author, drawing heavily on Leonardo da Vinci's journals, describes the painter's work as art built on a scaffold of science. He dissects several of da Vinci's paintings and drawings to show how the artist's insatiable curiosity manifested itself in his art and engineering. The author's sometimes detailed passages seem natural, and Molina's cultured accent adds to the listening pleasure without seeming like an affectation. His fluency with Italian names helps keep the reading flowing. The PDF is a visual treat and is referenced throughout the work, so listeners will want to refer to it regularly to get the full benefit of the author's analysis. Nonetheless, the reading stands on its own. R.C.G. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine [Published: OCTOBER 2017]