Knowing where Leonardo’s works are located worldwide allows for the creation of a precise and truly meaningful cultural itinerary.
Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpieces are currently preserved in a few selected museums and institutions across Europe and the United States, making it possible to trace a real itinerary among his most important works. The Louvre Museum in Paris represents the primary point of reference, housing the Mona Lisa and other fundamental paintings, while in Italy, one can find essential masterpieces such as The Last Supper in Milan and his early works at the Uffizi Gallery in Florence. Other works are kept in museums like the National Gallery in London and the National Gallery of Art in Washington. In addition to the paintings, his codices and drawings are preserved in specialized libraries and collections, while the Leonardo da Vinci Exhibition in Rome, although not exhibiting original pieces, allows for a concrete understanding of his working method through machines and reconstructions.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Where Leonardo’s works are located today
- The Louvre: the heart of Leonardo’s works
- Milan: The Last Supper
- Florence: early works at the Uffizi
- Other museums around the world
Where Leonardo’s works are located today
The works attributed to Leonardo da Vinci number fewer than twenty—a surprisingly small figure considering his fame. There is no single place to see them all; instead, they are spread across a network of museums and institutions throughout Europe and the United States.
Their current location is the result of historical collections, acquisitions, and movements over the centuries. However, those wishing to see Leonardo’s masterpieces in person can build thematic itineraries, as some cities concentrate more works than others.
Paris, Milan, and Florence represent the main stages, while other works are preserved in international museums such as those in London or Washington.
Inside Leonardo’s World
Experience interactive machines and inventions at the Leonardo Da Vinci Exhibition in Rome
The Louvre: the heart of Leonardo’s works
The Louvre Museum holds the largest number of Leonardo da Vinci’s works, including the famous Mona Lisa, as well as other fundamental pieces such as St. John the Baptist and The Virgin and Child with Saint Anne.
The presence of multiple works in one location makes the Louvre an essential stop for understanding Leonardo’s artistic maturity, as the paintings preserved here fully demonstrate the use of sfumato, the psychological depth of the subjects, and the compositional balance that characterize his production.
Visiting the Louvre obviously requires good organization because Leonardo’s works are among the most requested and the museum is often crowded, but it remains the most complete starting point for anyone wanting to get closer to his work.
Milan: The Last Supper
In Milan, within the Santa Maria delle Grazie complex, lies one of the most iconic masterpieces in art history: The Last Supper, a mural work that required experimental techniques and has endured centuries of restoration.
From an artistic perspective, The Last Supper represents one of the greatest examples of Leonardo’s narrative ability, with a composition that organizes the emotional reactions of the apostles in an extremely calculated manner.
The visiting experience differs from a traditional museum because access is strictly controlled and limited in time, specifically to preserve the work.
Florence: early works at the Uffizi
The Uffizi Gallery in Florence preserves some of Leonardo’s most important early works, including the Annunciation and the Adoration of the Magi.
These paintings allow visitors to observe the initial phase of his artistic journey when he was still working in Verrocchio’s workshop. Compared to his mature works, these pieces make it possible to grasp the evolution of his style.
Other museums around the world
Beyond the main European hubs, several of Leonardo’s works are preserved in other international museums. The Virgin of the Rocks is located in London, while the Portrait of Ginevra de’ Benci is kept in Washington.
In addition to the paintings, a fundamental part of Leonardo’s work consists of his codices and drawings, which gather studies of anatomy, engineering, botany, and mechanics. The most important of these is the Codex Atlanticus, preserved in Milan.
Furthermore, not all experiences related to Leonardo involve original works. The Leonardo da Vinci Exhibition, located in the historic center of Rome, offers a different approach based on reconstructions, models, and machines derived from his codices.
This path allows for an understanding of the method behind his inventions and the link between art, science, and engineering. The working machines make comprehension immediate, even for those without specific technical knowledge.
For those who do not have the opportunity to visit all the cities that house his works, this represents a definitive way to approach and better understand his labor.
Leonardo Live
Visit the Leonardo Da Vinci Exhibition in Rome and discover his machines, inventions, and much more first-hand.
You can read the Italian version of this article here >