History Happy Hour: Caroline Cocciardi presents "Leonardo da Vinci's Unknown Masterpiece: The Room of Knots"

History Happy Hour

Caroline Cocciardi presents:

Leonardo da Vinci's Unknown Masterpiece: The Room of Knots

Friday, May 9

5:30 pm-7:30 pm

At the Carriage House

There is an unknown, unseen, and uncelebrated fresco painted in 1498 by Renaissance artist Leonardo da Vinci at the Sforza Castle in Milan, Italy.

This masterpiece decorates a 2,500 sq. ft. ballroom cupola dome ceiling known as the “Sala delle Asse.”

Today, the public cannot see this artistic treasure beneath its deterioration. Restoring the masterpiece will not happen in our lifetime due to its severe decay; it has become unrecognizable and has fallen through the cracks of time. The masterpiece celebrates Leonardo’s artistic and mathematical genius.

For the past decade, author Caroline Cocciardi of Leonardo’s Knots, with her team of knot mathematicians and artists, has been on a mission to restore Leonardo’s last great fresco digitally.  

Their restoration reveals a knot extravaganza composed of 16 trees, hundreds of interlocking branches, and 37 gold leaf cords meandering through dense mulberry foliage.  “Leonardo’s dome ceiling should be as well recognized as Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel,” states Caroline Cocciardi. “It’s my life’s mission to make it a reality.”

About Caroline Cocciardi:

Caroline Cocciardi, the author of Leonardo’s Knots," has embarked on digitally restoring this extraordinary display of knots. Cocciardi will delve into the history and importance of the Room of Knots (Sala delle Asse). Leonardo's intrigue with knots and the discovery of his signature emblem. This revelation deepens our appreciation of Leonardo's artistic heritage and the importance of reintroducing his masterwork to the public.