Pupils Prep for encounter with Da Vinci

Spending a lunchtime digesting the genius of Leonardo Da Vinci has inspired at least one group of Nelson students to try and emulate the Italian jack of all trades.

Nelson Provincial Museum’s Da Vinci Robots and Machines exhibition has been open to the public since April 15.

Brought to town by Artisans of Florence, the international touring company of the Museum of Leonardo da Vinci, the exhibition showcases about 60 of da Vinci’s machines, including many that are interactive.

Many of his famous art pieces, including replica of The Last Supper and the Mona Lisa, are also on display.

Museum educator John Campbell said the public response had already exceeded the museum’s expectations, with wet weather during the school holidays bringing in many families, as well as tourists from as far afield as Europe.

Ahead of their house group visits to the museum, beginning later this month, Nelson College Preparatory School students Ben Blakemore, Buster Jennings and Connor Matthew enjoyed a lunchtime preview of the exhibition.

The visits are part of regular engagement with the museum as part of the school curriculum.

Primarily renowned for his painted works, Da Vinci’s technological ingenuity was ahead of his time.

Many of his inventions and concepts, while not constructed or feasible during his lifetime, became blueprints for further expansion in more recent times.

The chance to personally experience the work of Da Vinci had made an impact.

‘‘It’s pretty interesting that some of his old drawings, people have elaborated on them to make these modern day things,’’ said Blakemore.

‘‘It’s quite inspiring to try things yourself - he didn’t have a big education but still had all this knowledge.’’

‘‘I certainly want to try and invent things now,’’ said Matthew.

While Blakemore and Matthew were taken by prototype flying machines and early examples of humanoid robots on display, Jennings said the graphic anatomical displays of the human body were the most interesting.

Da Vinci Robots and Machines exhibition will run at Nelson Provincial Museum until August 13.

PHOTO: TIM O’CONNELL/ FAIRFAX NZ Nelson Preparatory School Year 8 students Connor Matthew, left, Ben Blakemore and Buster Jennings had a early insight into the world of Leonardo Da Vinci ahead of their school visit to Nelson Provincial Museum.