Exploring Leonardo da Vinci’s Unfinished Works

When we examine an unfinished work, can we learn something about the artist or author who left the work unfinished? Do we learn something about ourselves, our interests, our imaginations, or our expectations? Leonardo da Vinci left a legacy that has inspired artists, poets, architects, and engineers alike. His boundless quest for knowledge amounted to an unprecedented body of work. Leonardo’s portfolio includes countless projects and commissions that were never actually completed.

By watching select documentary clips from Ken Burns, Sarah Burns, and David McMahon’s Leonardo da Vinci, students will get a glimpse into Leonardo’s artistic process, including some of the challenges and distractions that kept him from completing several prominent projects. Students will develop a working answer to the essential question: Is an unfinished work of art of any value?

About the Author:

JoAnn Ash is a member of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin. She has been in the field of education for almost 25 years and was the 2013 Wisconsin Indian Educator of the Year. She is dedicated to promoting a love of reading, writing, listening, and public speaking. She believes that storytelling, in all of its forms, is the most powerful tool to help us understand the world and to connect with the past, present, and future.