When the subject of Leonardo Da Vinci (1452-1519) comes up, one of the first things always mentioned is his world famous painting "Mona Lisa" and his extraordinary talent in the fine arts. Actually, the Italian master also made remarkable contributions to natural science.

For the next two months, people in Beijing can view some of Da Vinci's creations both in the arts and in science, at an exhibition titled "Da Vinci: Interaction of Science and Arts," which opened last Thursday in the Beijing Museum of Natural History.

"We have prepared for several months and read through multitudes of materials," said Cui Jiajie, who heads the Tianjin-based Da Vinci Study Society.

The Society is co-hosting the exhibition with the Cultural Office of the Italian Embassy and the museum, in the hope that people will get to know the master "more comprehensively." Beijing is the first city to host the exhibition, which will tour a number of places around the country, and it has already been viewed by hundreds of school children.

Visitors are offered 16 panels with words and pictures portraying the life and achievements of Da Vinci, 13 displays of stamps featuring the "Three Giants of the Renaissance," the other two being Michelangelo and Raphael, and 15 replicas of the master's oil paintings, including "Leda and the Swan."

However, the most intriguing items on display are six wooden scientific models, including a helicopter, a cannon and a device for knocking over assault ladders. They were made by the Da Vinci Study Society and the Tianjin-based David Co in accordance with drawings and explanatory material in Da Vinci's manuscripts.

Gathering around the models excitedly, children take notes and touch the exhibits curiously. There are no restraining fences and no signs telling viewers coldly, "Do not touch." The hall is frequently filled with children's laughter, questions and comments.

"My mother told me he is good at painting, and that 'Mona Lisa' is one of his works," said Kong Lingrui, a grade-four student from the Jingzhong Street Primary School. His classmate Yang Lu added, "I know that he was also a whiz in mathematics!"

It not only gives viewers a chance to get to know Da Vinci as a scientist as well as an artist, but also is a platform for popularization of scientific knowledge. In this latter respect, it can help viewers, especially youngsters, better understand the close relationship between science and the arts.

"His talents force us to revise some of our concepts; for example, it was Da Vinci who invented the bicycle," said Li Fan, a member of the Museum's staff, pointing to the bicycle model and an enlarged draft of the plan for it. "I think Da Vinci's accomplishments in science are as great as his achievements in the arts."

Da Vinci always had a pen and notebook in his hands; he recorded his thoughts on everything that he saw and heard, pointed out Giuseppina Canadia, the Cultural Attache of the Italian Embassy Cultural Office.

"Now, Da Vinci has come to China with his notebook and pen," the Italian said.

"Da Vinci's entire life is filled with explorations and creations which encouraged us to imagine and to develop our potential, no matter how old we are," said Cui.

Beijing Museum of Natural History:

Address: No.126 Tianqiao South Street, Beijing

Opening hours: 8:30-17:00

Ticket Prices: Adult 15 yuan, child 10 yuan.

(China Daily October 20, 2003)