By Abdulaziz Hammad

Saudi Gazette

JEDDAH — Twenty stunning digital art works reproductions of Leonardo Da Vinci’s iconic and famous paintings will be exhibited at a cultural exhibition titled “Leonardo Da Vinci Masterpieces and Flying Machines” curated by Carlo Francini, in Sharbatly House in the Balad historic area of Jeddah on Oct. 12.

The exhibition comes in line with cultural and artistic development going around in the Kingdom, organized by the Consulate General of Italy in partnership with the Italian Cultural Association’s “Save the Artistic Heritage” aiming to foster Saudi-Italian cultural cooperation.

Talking to Saudi Gazette at Sharbatly House on Saturday, Director General of Parma Museum Simone Verde dwelt at length on the importance of conducting this exhibition in Saudi Arabia: “The Italian renaissance as we know wouldn't be possible without the contribution of the Arab World. So it was impossible for this year in which we celebrate 500 years of the death of Leonardo not to do something in the Arab World.”

Furthermore, this exhibition falls in the framework of worldwide celebrations marking 500 years of the death of Leonardo Da Vinci, the famous Italian genius who curated lots of inventions and artworks during his era.

“Save the Artistic Heritage” organization is a non-profit association aimed at promoting Italian historical and cultural heritage at the international level.