'His life’s [Leonardo da Vinci] legacy demonstrates that even while the physical bridge was never built, his overtures to the Sultan symbolise his construction of a cultural bridge between Renaissance Italy and the Ottoman Empire.' Opinion | ialmarashi
Da Vinci’s rival, Michelangelo, was invited to design the bridge, as well as paint and sculpt for Ottoman Selim I, but he was already committed to another project. In 1506 Pope Julius II had commissioned Michelangelo to work on Saint Peter’s Basilica. If history had gone in a different direction, art history would have had a portrait of Selim I instead of the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.
: “I plan to build a suspension bridge across the Bosphorus to allow people to travel between Europe and Asia. By the power of God, I hope you will believe my words.” That project was not realised until 1973, which was then the fourth largest suspension bridge in the world. , who used Da Vinci’s design for the construction of a pedestrian walkway in As, Norway, the first civil-engineering project based on a Leonardo sketch.
The series, focusing on the life of a young Leonardo, places him in the southern Italian town of Otranto before the 1480 Ottoman incursion into the Italian peninsula – even though there is no historical evidence of him ever being there at this time. The question remains as to why the writers of this show invented a role for Leonardo witnessing an Ottoman amphibious invasion of the Italian peninsula, instead of focusing on his attempts to work for the Empire.
On one level, an invasion is more entertaining than building bridges. But the series’ decision is also a reflection of our times when volatile relations between the West and the Middle East are reflected in pop culture.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Why did Ottoman sultans safeguard Islam’s holy relics in Istanbul?With Topkapi Palace, the administrative and residential power centre of the house of Ottomans, the Turkish government has inherited many valuable holy relics including the Prophet Muhammad's personal belongings.
Read more »
Poshmark Expands Its $625 Million Retail Empire From Fashion Resale Into Home DecorPoshmark will now let you sell home decor, from candles to throw pillows, on its social shopping platform.
Read more »
Leonardo DiCaprio spotlights urgency of climate crisisLeonardo DiCaprio and Arnold Schwarzenegger produce and narrate new documentaries 'Ice on Fire' and 'Wonders of the Sea,' as celebrties try to put spotlight on calls for climate change action
Read more »
Lee Daniels on the End of Empire, Woke Culture, and Why Precious Was a Comedy.leedanielsent on the afterlife of Empire, the limits of woke culture, and why Precious was really a comedy. A conversation with andrewrgoldman
Read more »
Aztec Empire Brought To Life In New Graphic NovelA new comic book by Paul Guinan, David Hahn, and Anina Bennett retells the story of the fall of the Aztec Empire in stunning detail.
Read more »
Tennessee DA faces investigation after Islam, gay commentsA Tennessee district attorney is under investigation following anti-Islamic social media posts and comments about not enforcing domestic violence laws for gay couples.
Read more »