Leonardo returns to Vinci

On April 15, 2026, to mark the anniversary of Leonardo da Vinci’s birth, a new monument dedicated to the Renaissance genius will be unveiled. Conceived and sculpted by Filippo Tincolini, the monumental work is crafted from Carrara White Marble, weighing a total of 5 tons and standing as a 220 cm statue of Leonardo atop a 120 cm pedestal.

However, the "return" evoked by the title “Leonardo Returns to Vinci” is not about looking backward. As Filippo Tincolini explains:

“This monument is not a celebration. It is a conversation.”

This sentiment is echoed by the Mayor of Vinci, Daniele Vanni:

“April 15 is the day our community renews its bond with the Universal Genius. The inauguration of Filippo Tincolini’s monument represents a moment of great symbolic value for Vinci. It is not merely about welcoming a new work of art into a public space, but about giving shape to a living, shared reflection on what Leonardo represents to the world today.

We worked with conviction alongside the artist on this project, which interprets Leonardo not as a distant icon, but as a method—a constant stimulus for curiosity, research, and the dialogue between different fields of knowledge. In this sense, the work fits perfectly into our city’s identity: Vinci does not wish to be just a guardian of memory, but a contemporary laboratory of ideas.

The process behind the sculpture’s creation is also particularly significant, as technology and human craftsmanship intertwine virtuously. This approach directly recalls the Leonardesque spirit, looking toward the future without forgetting the depth of tradition. I would like to thank the artist, all the professionals involved, and those who helped make this project possible. I invite citizens and visitors to experience this work as an opportunity for encounter and reflection, valuing knowledge and culture as collective growth.”

A Living Legacy

The monument opens a dialogue between the city, the artist, and all those who will engage with the work over time. It does not state, "This is Leonardo"; instead, it poses a question to everyone: "Who is Leonardo to us today?"

This is Leonardo’s ultimate lesson: curiosity as the engine of knowledge and a continuous drive to question the world. Leonardo thus returns as a contemporary figure—not as a static icon, but as a method and a constant tension toward understanding.