David Scrase annual lecture 2026: Fantasy and reality in Leonardo’s drawings

There is a curious tension between Leonardo da Vinci’s lifelong pursuit of a scientific understanding of the world, and the air of fantasy that pervades his art. He wrote more about the nature of creativity than any other figure of the period, a concern that is strongly evident in his thousands of surviving drawings. This lecture will explore Leonardo’s thoughts about fantasy and imagination, how they relate to his studies of nature, and his development of a visual language that unifies his work. This lecture will be followed by a drinks reception.