Abstract Leonardo da Vinci, a towering figure of the Renaissance, continues to captivate audiences across various media. His legacy, first mythologized by Giorgio Vasari in Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects (1550), has been continually reinterpreted through artistic, literary, and cinematic lenses. The television series Leonardo (Rai Fiction/Big Light Productions, 2021–) exemplifies how prestige television recontextualizes history for contemporary audiences, making it both engaging and accessible. This article undertakes a critical analysis of Leonardoas a case study in the evolving role of television in the remediation of history. Through a content analysis grounded in cultural studies, the article examines how the series revitalizes Leonardo's legacy by fusing historical accuracy with inventive, sophisticated narrative techniques. It argues that Leonardonot only enriches historical discourse but also exemplifies television's distinctive capacity to reimagine and reinterpret the past for contemporary audiences. Furthermore, the article contends that “historical” prestige television, as exemplified by Leonardo, plays a significant role in reshaping collective memory and cultural heritage, offering viewers a nuanced and immersive exploration of history.
Annachiara Mariani (Wed,) studied this question.