Leonardo. The European genius. Painting & drawings. Catalogo della mostra (Brussels, 2007-2008)

A special event placed under the High Patronage of HIS MAJESTY KING ALBERT II In celebration of the fi ftieth anniversary of the establishment of the European Community (1957-2007) a most spectacular Leonardo exhibition in the grand Koekelberg Basilica on the outskirts of Brussels (August 18, 2007-March 15, 2008) is having an unprecedented success on account of the skillful and most attractive presentation of every aspect of Leonardo's powerful mind as made evident by his work as an artist, scientist and technologist shown in its historical and cultural context through original documents, excellent reproductions of works of art, original paintings and drawings as well as an actual size photograph on silk of the monumental and celebrated early copy of Leonardo's Last Supper in the Tongerlo Abbey.
The exhibition also includes original manuscripts and drawings by Leonardo, the foremost presence being that of the Codex on the Flight of Birds, the loan of which has been exceptionally granted by the Royal Library in Turin for the fi rst time to a location outside Italy.
I feel that I must not neglect to repeat the exact words which I heard from the King's own lips about him, which he told me in the presence of the Cardinal of Ferrara, the Cardinal of Lorraine, and the King of Navarre. He said that he did not believe that there had ever been another man born into the world who had known as much as Leonardo, and this not on matters concerning Sculpture, Painting, and Architecture, but because he was a great Philosopher.
Benvenuto Cellini (1542)