24 August 2012

Lecture to mark start of Dundee Leonardo Exhibition

Martin Kemp, one of the world's leading authorities on Leonardo da Vinci, will give a public lecture in Dundee next Saturday (Sept 1st) to mark the arrival in the city of a new exhibition of Leonardo's drawings.

'Ten Drawings by Leonardo da Vinci: A Diamond Jubilee Celebration from the Royal Collection' is at The McManus: Dundee's Art Gallery and Museum, from August 31st to November 4th. It is the only Scottish venue hosting the exhibition.

Martin Kemp is Emeritus Professor of the History of Art at the University of Oxford and one of the world's leading experts on Leonardo. In his public lecture at the University of Dundee on Saturday September 1st he will explore the ways in which Leonardo's art and science can both be understood as a remaking of nature on the basis of deep understanding of cause and effect.

In the light of this, he will demonstrate how connections can be drawn between seemingly unrelated works such as the Mona Lisa and the flying machine.

The public lecture is being hosted by V&A at Dundee in partnership with the University of Dundee and Leisure & Culture Dundee.

Chair of Leisure & Culture Dundee, Lord Provost Bob Duncan, said, "I am sure that the Leonardo da Vinci exhibition and events such as this public lecture will bring even more attention to Dundee and encourage many people here to visit the McManus and enjoy our other attractions as well."

It takes place at 6pm on Saturday September 1st in the Dalhousie Building, Old Hawkhill.

Free tickets for this event are available from events@dundee.ac.uk, www.dundee.ac.uk/tickets, Tower Building Reception at the University, or by calling 01382 385564/385108.

A drinks reception will follow this event. Please note that overflow theatres may be in operation.

NOTES TO EDITORS

V&A at Dundee
V&A at Dundee is being delivered by Design Dundee Ltd, a ground-breaking partnership between the Victoria and Albert Museum - the world's greatest museum of art and design - and Dundee City Council, the Universities of Dundee and Abertay Dundee, and Scottish Enterprise.

The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) awarded it a first round pass of up to £9.2m, including £200,000 development funding, in May 2102. The Scottish Government has committed £15m in capital towards the project's £45million budget. www.vandaatdundee.com.

The McManus is operated by Leisure & Culture Dundee, working in partnership with Dundee City Council. www.mcmanus.co.uk.

For media enquiries contact:
Roddy Isles
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University of Dundee
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E-MAIL: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk
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