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“Writing: the modus scribendi of Leonardo da Vinci”, a seminar by calligrapher Massimo Polello

On the occasion of the Fifth Centenary of Leonardo da Vinci’s Death (1452-1519), the Italian Cultural Institute is pleased to present a seminar by calligrapher Massimo Polello: “Writing: the modus scribendi of Leonardo da Vinci“.

Wednesday, July 17 2019, 6pm
Italian Cultural Institute
1200, Av. du Dr. Penfield
Montréal (QC), H3A 1A9
This event will be in Italian

Through the seminar, the renowned calligrapher from Turin Massimo Polello will extensively talk about the writing of Leonardo da Vinci, taking into account the way shapes, letters and ligatures are created, then considering the following artistic development in a more contemporary means of expression. The aim is to acquaint the audience with the writing of the Italian man of genius.

Leonardo da Vinci’s writing has often an aura of mystery, despite the fact it was widespread at that time, during the 15th century, at the point that his contemporaries would often use it as well. Leonardo used to write with its left hand and “a specchio” (mirror writing), which means writing letters and words backwards. According to L. Pacioli’s statement, dated back in 1498, Leonardo was left-handed, so the reasons of secrecy that have been suggested to explain this way of writing are now baseless. It is useful to remind that the decipherment and the critical edition of its manuscripts and drawings have been carrying out since early 19th century, particularly by the Commissione Vinciana, established in 1902.

Based in Turin, Italy, Massimo Polello has worked as a calligrapher artist for over fifteen years. Since studying calligraphy, he has explored its classical and contemporary applications and potentiality in art and graphic design. He has exhibited, taught workshops and seminary regularly and internationally all over the world and taught in New York and the University of Montreal, and Calgary. He worked on several short films, is a contributor to Graphicus, TipoItalia and Letters Arts Review  magazines and collaborated with the Mediceo-Laurenziana Library in Florence. He took part and was invited to the International Type Designer Conference in Moscow, Istanbul and at the ATypI 2015  International Type Designer Conference Sao Paulo. Massimo published in 2016 in collaboration with the designer Marcel Wanders a prestigious limited edition book for the RIJKS MUSEUM in Amsterdam The Rijksbook  and in 2009 Traité de la peinture-Extraits with Editions Alternatives Publisher-Paris  and worked with artist and filmmaker Peter Greenaway in Peopling the Palace and with the director Luca Ronconi on the installation of the of 150th Anniversary exhibition of the Unification of Italy, La Bella Italia. He is President of Turin calligraphers´ guild Dal Segno alla Scrittura  and works in his Studio Gallery ABC Atelier in Turin.

Reservation no longer available