Antonio Forcellino is a leading European authority on Renaissance art who has restored works of inestimable value including Michelangelo's Moses and Trajan's Arch. He is the author of Michelangelo: A Tormented Life (Polity, 2009) and Raphael: A Passionate Life (Polity, 2012).
'A captivating account of one of the most enigmatic figures in history. This beautifully written and well-documented biography is creative non-fiction at its very best. Based on the facts as we know them, it reads like an enthralling novel.' Patricia Fortini Brown, Professor Emerita of Art and Archaeology, Princeton University 'As one might expect from Forcellino, this book is written with verve, it brings major and minor individuals back to life, and it presents an original perspective on Leonardo's art and on his relationships to other artists. While Forcellino's greatest strength is his close analysis of particular paintings, he deals with the whole range of Leonardo's work, from his mechanics, optics and anatomy to his most famous paintings and frescoes. This concise but comprehensive book on a many-sided man deserves to be widely read.' Peter Burke, Professor Emeritus of Cultural History, University of Cambridge