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Art historian and world-leading expert on Leonardo Martin Kemp looks at the poetic dimensions of Mona Lisa while acclaimed poetry performer Ruth Rosen brings to life the words of poets such as Dante and Petrarch on the artist and his paintings.

Kemp has written a new book with Giuseppe Pallanti that contains radically new material on the Mona Lisa. Some of that material includes the poetic dimensions of the painting, including the words of Dante, Petrarch and lesser known contemporaries about Leonardo and his portraits. Leonardo claimed in his famous comparison of the arts that painting surpassed the poetry, not least in the representation of beloved ladies. Kemp and Rosen promise an intense and vivid competition between image and word.

Kemp is emeritus professor in the history of art at the University of Oxford. He has written extensively on imagery in art and science from the Renaissance to the present day. His books include Leonardo and Christ to Coke: How Image Becomes Icon. Rosen’s performances of literary works have brought rave reviews and led her to appear at many national and international festivals and theatres.

This event lasts one hour 15 minutes.

This event is part of the festival’s Italian day.