Thursday, 13 January 2022

A Visit to Leonardo's Home

Here are some photos I took recently on visits to the Manoir de Clos Lucé, which was Leonardo da Vinci's home from 1516 to his death in 1519. Of course, this charming medieval manor house in the centre of Amboise has been home to lots of other people as well over the centuries, but Leonardo is the only one you will learn anything about if you visit.

Manoir de Clos Luce, Amboise, Indre et Loire, France. Photo by Loire Valley Time Travel.
Original painted ceiling beams.

Manoir de Clos Luce, Amboise, Indre et Loire, France. Photo by Loire Valley Time Travel.
A bronze bust of Leonardo da Vinci in the hallway.

Manoir de Clos Luce, Amboise, Indre et Loire, France. Photo by Loire Valley Time Travel.
A cabinet displaying facsimiles of Renaissance scientific instruments, notebooks, sketches, pigments and paint brushes (which artists of the time would have made themselves).

Manoir de Clos Luce, Amboise, Indre et Loire, France. Photo by Loire Valley Time Travel.
A cabinet with a collection of natural history objects that would have been of interest to someone like Leonardo, and referencing the idea of a 'cabinet of curiosities', very popular in the Renaissance.

Manoir de Clos Luce, Amboise, Indre et Loire, France. Photo by Loire Valley Time Travel.
The entrance to the underground tunnel which connects Clos Lucé to the Chateau Royal and allowed Francois I to visit on a daily basis without having to go out on the open street.

Manoir de Clos Luce, Amboise, Indre et Loire, France. Photo by Loire Valley Time Travel.
Wall paintings in the oratory, built for Anne of Brittany, a previous occupant of Clos Lucé. The wall paintings were done by 'disciples' of Leonardo, at some unspecified date. This one is above the door and is the Virgo Lucis, who gives her name to the manor.

Manoir de Clos Luce, Amboise, Indre et Loire, France. Photo by Loire Valley Time Travel.Manoir de Clos Luce, Amboise, Indre et Loire, France. Photo by Loire Valley Time Travel.
The ceiling of the room where Leonardo's studio has been recreated.

Manoir de Clos Luce, Amboise, Indre et Loire, France. Photo by Loire Valley Time Travel.
Recreation of Leonardo's studio.

Manoir de Clos Luce, Amboise, Indre et Loire, France. Photo by Loire Valley Time Travel.
Recreation of Leonardo's studio.

Manoir de Clos Luce, Amboise, Indre et Loire, France. Photo by Loire Valley Time Travel.
A lovely blacksmith made gate latch in the grounds.

Manoir de Clos Luce, Amboise, Indre et Loire, France. Photo by Loire Valley Time Travel.
View from the terrace at Clos Lucé with the Chateau Royal in the background.

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