Leonardo (2021) s01e02 Episode Script

1
[theme music playing]
[thunder rumbling]
[screeching]
[baby cries]
[Leonardo shouts]
[cries]
[Leonardo shouts]
[Stefano] There was a pile of ashes
outside your studio.
We found this.
The fragment of a letter from a priest.
Father Pacioli.
The reference is "The Boy of Niccolini."
The painting I made for him.
[Stefano] What we didn't find were
any paintings or drawings of Caterina.
- Not even a single sketch.
- That's because she destroyed them.
She was angry.
- What was she angry about?
- I don't know.
She never got the chance to explain.
[chattering]
[Stefano] "She was love."
I'm sorry?
Leonardo's words to describe
Caterina da Cremona.
Yet there are no images of her
in his studio.
Don't you think that's strange?
Not really, no.
Who are you?
Stefano Giraldi of the Podesta.
You worked for Leonardo.
[Tommaso] I did, yes.
[Stefano] Tell me why
you don't think it's strange.
I have to go home now.
- Then I'll go with you.
- No, thank you.
Or we can continue our conversation
at the Podesta prison.
Leonardo was a mass of contradictions.
Impossible to understand.
You were one of his closest friends.
No one gets close to him. Not really.
I'm told Caterina did.
Well, perhaps that's why
we were standing at her grave.
You believe him capable of murder?
I believe Leonardo is capable of anything.
You don't understand, do you?
A man like Leonardo,
his genius is forged by pain.
And that pain can drive a man
to commit terrible acts.
[giggles]
Congratulations.
Your name is on everyone's lips, Leonardo.
I'm so pleased for you.
I'm very grateful for everything
you taught me, Maestro.
Oh
Hey!
You're Leonardo da Vinci?
The one who painted the angel?
- Yes.
- Yeah, it was extraordinary.
So lifelike.
How do you do it?
I paint what I see.
You see angels?
Um Well, no, um
That was the face of a peasant boy
I saw down by the river.
Who looks at a peasant and sees angels?
Listen, I've modelled
for most of the artists in this city.
And it would be an honour
to be painted by you.
I'll consider it.
Why not come home with me and, uh,
we can discuss it.
[Saltarelli] Like what you see?
Uh
To your good health.
And to the start of a long friendship.
[goblets clink]
[Leonardo exhales]
[whispering]
You look like a scared rabbit.
You never kissed a man before?
No.
Surely you've wanted to.
No.
But you want to now.
How was that?
Well, you got the hang of that
fairly quickly
[guard] Hey! Who are you? Come back here!
More?
- [banging on door]
- [officer] Saltarelli, open up!
We know you're in there!
Officers of the Bargello!
- Open up!
- [door slams open]
Saltarelli and da Vinci,
you're both under arrest for sodomy.
You, this way.
[grunts]
- [door shuts]
- [inmates chuckling]
Tommaso!
Tommaso! Tomma Did you do this?
Answer me!
Did you ruin Leonardo from spite?
I heard he was arrested
for being with a call boy.
Jacopo Saltarelli.
He named four other men as his lovers,
and now walks free while they rot in jail
with Leonardo, thanks to you.
How can you possibly blame this on me?
I saw you talking to him the other night.
All because I was stupid enough
to tell you
- that Leonardo would not sleep with me!
- Listen to me!
I was jealous of Leonardo.
I admit it.
But I wouldn't do this.
Destroying a genius doesn't make you one.
You'll never
never be half the man he is.
[Leonardo sighs]
What do you want?
Can I see Leonardo da Vinci?
No visitors.
Then please give him this.
Thank you.
[officer] Da Vinci.
[gate creaks open, closes]
[footsteps approaching]
[indistinct shouting in distance]
[Tornabuoni] May I see?
Do you know how much longer we'll be here?
Could be weeks, months, a year.
Depends on what the rector says
this morning.
Is there one of me?
- Remarkable.
- [door clanging]
Take 'em away.
[guard] Get up.
Come on, move.
- [chattering]
- [chains jangling]
- [coughing]
- [rector] Let us begin.
[chatter quietens]
The five of you stand accused
of committing sodomy
with Jacopo Saltarelli, a male prostitute.
Sodomy is not just a heinous crime,
it is a sin committed by men
who have turned away from God,
and deserving of the harshest punishment.
I will not be inclined to show leniency
since God Himself will not.
The condemned, Leonardo Tornabuoni,
Bartolomeo di Pasquino,
- Leonardo da Vinci
- Rector? May I have a word?
[chattering]
[inaudible]
The Lord's mercy is infinite
and His justice divine.
The charges are dismissed.
[crowd gasping]
[chattering]
[inaudible]
Charge dismissed!
[sighs] Can you believe it?
Well, it's the timing
I find difficult to believe.
I was arrested just an hour after
I arrived at his house.
- It's curious, don't you think?
- [child yelling]
Yes, I thought the same.
And to arrest an innocent man
Well
What?
I'm not exactly innocent.
[breathes heavily]
He, um
He awoke feelings in me.
Feelings I didn't know I had.
It's all right. How do you feel?
- Frightened.
- Mm-hmm.
- Confused.
- Hmm.
And grateful.
Thank you for your parchment
and for your message.
Look, um, I need to get back
to the studio.
- Yes. Yes.
- Square things with Verrocchio, but
- Of course. Off you go, off you go!
- Thank you.
- [door opens]
- [children laugh]
[Verrocchio] But you must understand,
the accusation against you
is not so easily forgotten.
I'm sorry if I put you
in a difficult position.
[scoffs] Difficult? I'm an artist.
But I'm also a businessman.
[sighs] My principal clients
are the Church.
They won't give me commissions
if a man accused of sodomy
- No.
- is allowed to work on them.
- No, no, but the charges were dismissed.
- [Alfonso] As if that makes a difference!
- [Verrocchio] Alfonso!
- It does!
- Sorry, Leonardo, but
- Maestro, please.
I must consider the welfare
of everyone who works here.
I'm sorry.
[softly] I'll get my things.
- [sighs wearily]
- [cane thumps]
[Marco] Leonardo!
This letter just came for you.
[servant] Follow me, please.
Please wait here.
[woman speaks indistinctly]
- [door closes]
- You are Leonardo da Vinci?
- Yes, Messere.
- Do you know who I am?
Amerigo de Benci,
director of the Medici bank.
Yes.
And this young man
is a cousin of the Medici.
Which is how I came into possession
of your rather remarkable drawing.
Thank you, Messere.
I'm told you are exceptionally gifted.
That the quality of your work
on the Baptism of Christ
exceeds Verrocchio himself.
No, no, I'm a mere apprentice.
I wonder if you would accept
a commission from me.
My daughter Ginevra is to be married.
And I would like a portrait
to mark the occasion.
- A portrait?
- Yes. In oil.
I'll pay a fair price.
- [stutters] I accept.
- Good.
Ginevra dear, please!
There is someone I'd like you to meet.
This is the artist
who is to paint your portrait.
Leonardo da Vinci.
Messere Leonardo,
I'm pleased to meet you.
Madonna.
This is wonderful news!
You must be so pleased, Leonardo.
- [orders in Italian]
- [Leonardo groans] I don't know.
- I don't know.
- What's wrong?
It's the portrait.
It's supposed to be a happy one
celebrating her wedding.
Yes, and?
Ginevra is not happy.
Her sorrow is written all over her face.
Oh, Leonardo, don't.
- I am a disciple of experience, Caterina.
- What does that even mean?
It means I paint what I see.
I paint my truth.
You've lost your job as first apprentice.
You've lost your place at the workshop
- [clicks tongue]
- and now you have a second chance.
Why do you insist
on making life so difficult?
Paint what you're asked
and don't complicate things.
All right?
[Caterina sighs]
- Where are you sleeping tonight?
- I'll find a place.
Don't be silly. You'll sleep at mine.
- Oh.
- Uh
As a thank-you, and for
for standing by me.
I overheard them talking
and the Benci need a servant,
and they said they'll pay
twice as much as the candlemaker.
Just present yourself in the morning.
- Hmm?
- Oh!
Okay. Thank you so much.
- [chattering]
- [knocking on door]
This is Caterina da Cremona.
- She's here for the servant's job.
- Yes, come in.
How long must I sit here?
But, Madonna,
we've only just begun.
I didn't even want
this ridiculous portrait.
Uh Oh.
You do not wish
to commemorate your marriage?
You haven't answered the question.
A week.
Perhaps two.
I'm supposed to sit here
for two whole weeks?
I'm making studies of your face.
It takes time.
May I read a book?
I need your eyes looking up.
That's no problem.
I'll hold the book up while I read.
There. How's that?
But you're looking down, Madonna.
You need to hold the book up higher.
Better?
You're sitting at three-quarter profile.
- A what?
- Three-quarter profile.
Uh, portraits are usually painted
in full face or in profile.
But if I hold the book
directly in front of me,
I'll block your view.
You would.
So you're now telling me
that I can't read after all?
Do you read?
Um, just the words my father taught me.
You're welcome to borrow that if you like.
[chuckles] I'd sooner borrow your gold
than your books.
Forgive me, Madonna.
I'm blunt. It's a fault.
What's your name?
Caterina.
That'll be all, Caterina.
Yes, Madonna.
Thank you.
[breathing heavily]
What are you doing here?
May I come in?
[Piero] I heard about the scandal.
I assume you've lost your position
at Verrocchio's workshop.
Yes, Father.
It cost me a lot of money
getting you into that studio.
Money that's all wasted now.
No. It's not wasted. I
I've been commissioned.
By Amerigo de Benci,
to paint his daughter.
[sighs]
One client doesn't make an artist,
Leonardo.
But you know that, don't you?
If you advance me funds
to open my own workshop,
in time, I could repay you.
Were you guilty?
No.
[Piero] I have my family
waiting for dinner.
Come back tomorrow.
What are you doing?
There's only one bed.
[laughs] Don't be silly.
We'll share it. Come.
- Are you sure?
- Come.
[laughs]
[both chuckle]
Oh! [sighs]
[exhales]
Something's bothering you?
[chuckles softly]
I was just thinking about something.
What is it?
It's my earliest memory.
I was just a baby
in my mother's house, outside Vinci,
and a bird flew in
and landed on my crib.
- [bird screeches]
- [baby cries]
[shouts in Italian]
[Leonardo] My mother was
a peasant girl,
her head full of superstition,
and she was terrified,
she didn't know what to do,
she didn't know what it meant,
so she took me
to the old woman in the village.
[baby cooing]
And my mother believed
what the old woman had told her.
What?
[in Italian] Take him away
or the town will be cursed.
[Leonardo] She said I was cursed.
[Caterina] What curse?
[Leonardo] It doesn't matter.
[Caterina] Leonardo,
please, tell me.
Whatever the curse was, it made me think
maybe I was supposed to be alone.
Forever.
No one is meant to be alone.
Perhaps.
- But I never did go home after that.
- [Young Piero] Leonardo?
[Leonardo] I was sent to live
with my father.
He was a notary with no use for a bastard.
And one morning
[in Italian] For me?
he brought me a present.
[Piero in Italian] Let's go for a ride.
[horse nickers]
[Leonardo] He took me
to visit my grandfather.
[grandfather speaks Italian]
[Leonardo] I played while they talked.
[horse whinnies]
And then
Papa! Papa!
[Leonardo] And then he was gone.
Papa! Papa!
[barn door shuts]
Papa, Papa, Papa!
My father now lives in Florence
with his new wife and son.
I spoke to him tonight.
I asked him for funds to open a studio.
What did he say?
He said come back tomorrow.
Leonardo.
You're not alone.
Not any more.
Don't you want to smile?
No.
Why not?
Because I am not happy.
This portrait will live beyond you.
How would you like to be remembered?
As an honest woman.
[sighs]
- [horse neighs]
- [gasps]
Is that him?
[gasps]
Bernardo!
[laughs] It is!
[knocking on door]
Well, well.
You're a new face around here.
What's your name?
Um, Caterina.
[chuckles]
- Are you going to let me in?
- Yes, of course.
Who shall I say is calling?
Bernardo Bembo, the ambassador
from His Serenity Agostino Barbarigo,
the Doge of Venice to the Duchy of Milan.
Well, if you want me to use
your full title,
that's going to take a while.
- [servant] Take the Ambassador's bag.
- You better sit down.
[Ginevra] Bernardo!
At last. You're here.
Have you come to rescue me?
[laughs] I think you're the last person
who needs rescuing.
Oh, but you're wrong.
I'm being made to marry this awful man.
Luigi Niccolini is a gentleman
from a prosperous family.
You're not taking my father's side,
are you?
Of course he is!
- Bernardo, so good to see you.
- And you, my friend.
I hope you don't mind,
but I brought your daughter a gift.
To help ease the sting of matrimony.
More books?
Her head's already full of them.
Bruni's translation of Aristotle's Ethics.
[gasps] Bernardo, you spoil me.
Yes, he certainly does.
Bernardo, may I introduce you
to Leonardo da Vinci?
A talented young artist.
- Very pleased to meet you, sir.
- Pleased to meet you.
Capturing Ginevra's beauty
will be no easy task.
- Indeed.
- [Amerigo] Shall we?
[church bells tolling]
Father Bandelli, this is Leonardo.
The Abbot is an old friend.
Father Bandelli.
The monks of San Donato a Scopeto
wish to commission a painting
on the Adoration of the Magi.
- It is a worthy subject.
- [Bandelli] Indeed.
Your father assures me that
the charges against you were baseless.
And he says you possess great talent.
I would be honoured to complete this work.
I assume you know Rogier van der Weyden's
painting on the subject?
There are many fine paintings
on the subject.
That one is my favourite.
You are to follow its composition exactly.
Uh
[exhales] of course.
As you wish.
Thank you for your support, Father.
A commission from Amerigo de Benci
is one thing,
but your career will go nowhere
without the Church.
I know.
I've arranged for you
to use the stable next door.
You have?
I'll advance the cost
of materials and wages
- [sighs]
- or any assistance you may require.
Thank you, Father.
You asked for a chance, Leonardo,
and I'm giving it to you.
Don't disappoint me.
I won't.
What are you thinking about?
About
how happy I am when we're together.
- Hmm.
- [chuckles]
How did you get that scar?
You don't have to tell me
if you don't want to.
No, it's
It's fine.
I was I was 17.
I was walking,
and a carriage came racing
out of nowhere
and I got trampled.
[breathes deeply]
My body was broken.
I nearly bled to death.
The physician said
it was a miracle I survived.
But that I could never bear children.
I'm so sorry.
I felt like nothing.
So, I came here,
looking for a better life.
[laughs softly]
I knew then that I would always be alone.
You said no one is ever meant to be alone.
[sighs] Oh, you're right.
No one is.
Now I'm not.
Where's my face?
I'm starting with the landscape.
I thought you said you'd paint the truth.
The truth of who you are, yes.
But to possess beauty,
a painting must also have mystery
and meaning.
I fail to see the mystery
and meaning of a tree.
[chuckling]
It's not just any tree. It's a juniper.
A ginepro.
Like Ginevra.
- It's a pun, a play on my name.
- Mmm.
And a traditional symbol of virtue.
Are you saying you think I have virtue?
Yes, I believe you do.
In abundance.
You are a clever man, Leonardo da Vinci.
Apply all the mystery
and meaning you wish.
But you will not succeed
in painting the truth.
And why is that?
Because my father is paying for this,
and he does not wish to see
the truth of who I am.
You're not gonna show that to him,
are you?
Why not?
What's wrong with it?
It's crude. The proportions are all wrong.
Maestro expects better
from a first apprentice.
Where are you two headed?
Haven't you heard?
Leonardo got a commission.
- What commission?
- The Adoration of the Magi.
He wants us to come
in the evenings to help him.
[Leonardo] Ah, gentlemen!
Welcome to my magnificent studio!
[laughs] The Abbot wants us to follow
the van der Weyden composition.
These are some perspective studies,
and these are the sketches.
We have the Virgin in the centre
with the infant Jesus in her arms,
and we have kneeling Magi in adoration.
Like Like this, you see?
[Giulio] What about Joseph?
[Leonardo exhales]
Don't worry about Joseph.
I mean to model him on someone I know.
Sounds brilliant.
Are you sure they want
something so complicated?
Just start on these figures
and I'll bring you the sketches
when they're ready.
[Amerigo] I would like to make a toast
to my beloved daughter
and my son-in-law to be, Luigi Niccolini.
[all] Luigi Niccolini!
And to my new father, Amerigo de Benci.
[all] Amerigo de Benci!
[chattering]
- Wait, where are these supposed to go?
- [Leonardo] At the top.
[chattering]
What about Joseph?
[Leonardo] I'm working on it.
[owl hooting]
[Piero] Guglielmo!
Come, my son! Oh!
Good night.
- Leonardo?
- Father.
Thank you.
The Abbot will return in four days
to inspect your progress.
I trust you'll be ready.
Of course.
[Leonardo exhales]
[door opens, closes]
Caterina? May I have a moment?
Yes, Madonna.
Thank you, Antonella.
I haven't seen much of you lately.
I [chuckles]
I imagined you didn't wish
to see much of me, Madonna.
Being honest is no fault.
Rudeness is.
You said you can read.
Yes, a little.
Take this as a gift then.
I think you'll find Ovid enriches the mind
more than gold.
Thank you.
It'll give you something
to talk about with Bernardo.
I think he's quite taken with you.
Don't look surprised.
I am a girl to him.
That's all I'll ever be.
And I am just a servant, Madonna.
He has no interest in me.
You are far too bright and charming
to only be a servant, Caterina.
Anyone can see that.
[chuckles softly]
Thank you.
The wedding is tomorrow.
I don't have time for this, Leonardo.
It won't take but a moment.
Have you finished?
[Leonardo] Well, see for yourself.
Well?
You said I wasn't meant
to be seated at an angle.
Well, you weren't, but it creates depth.
[breathlessly] I'm
I'm speechless.
You have painted me as I am.
Inside and out.
[laughs] How?
We both have fathers who look past us.
When I look into your eyes
[sighs] I can see the pain in my own.
Then you are pleased?
[Ginevra] It's not just beautiful, it's
It's true. [sniffles]
Just as you said it would be.
The leaves in my hands
Mmm. The laurel and the palm.
Drawn from Bernardo's family crest.
Because he gives you joy.
I am so proud to have sat for you.
It's not finished. Not even close.
There's no Joseph as of yet,
so you can't appreciate
the novelty of the composition
and the brightness of the colours.
What do you think?
[Bandelli] I think
this painting is a mess.
[horse whinnies]
[Piero] You have lost the commission.
I'll pay you for the materials, Father.
Once Signore de Benci pays me.
Every florin.
And the money to enrol you
in Verrocchio's workshop?
The room and board
you've been given your entire life?
I didn't ask to be born.
No one asked for you to be born, Leonardo.
You are a mistake.
The unhappy consequence of an evening
spent drinking too much wine.
It was your duty to raise me.
- You owed me that much.
- I owed you nothing!
You gave me nothing!
You made me feel like nothing!
Because I always knew
that's all you'd ever amount to.
[Leonardo] No.
No one is meant to be alone.
You are.
The old woman was right. You are cursed.
[door opens, closes]
[inhales deeply]
[bird screeching]
[chattering]
Leonardo. I need to see you a moment.
In private.
Of course.
You should have told me
what you were doing.
What have you done?
There are already rumours
that Bernardo has slept with my daughter!
To have my daughter holding his seal
on the day of her wedding?
Your daughter is chaste and virtuous.
That was merely a symbol
of the man she admires!
As opposed to her own father?
Is that what you're saying?
That's why you've painted her
looking so miserable!
I want you to leave here at once.
You'll be paid nothing for this.
[children chattering]
Hello.
What are you doing?
I have wonderful news.
Bernardo, I'm to be his mistress.
- His mistress?
- Yes.
He says he'll provide for my family,
and I'll I'll travel with him.
You're leaving?
- I'm
- No.
[both laugh]
You said I'd never be alone.
You won't be.
- Oh, we'll still see each other.
- How?
I'll be back in Florence sometimes.
I told you I can't have children.
This is an opportunity I can't miss.
- Well, I'm happy for you. I really am.
- Thank you. Thanks.
Oh
How was the portrait
and the painting for the Abbot?
- Yes, both were a success.
- Great!
Yes, in fact, I'm going to open
my own studio.
Your own studio?
Not here, not in Florence, but, um
[sighs] There are too many artists
here already
and I can't possibly compete
against Verrocchio.
- [laughs] Then where?
- In Milan.
I've just had an offer
from Ludovico Sforza.
- [gasps]
- Yes.
[both laughing]
Look at us, Leonardo.
You never know what turns
fortune will take, do you?
I'm so happy for you.
You'll be in Milan, I'll be in Venice.
It can't be more than
three or four days apart by carriage.
I'll come visit you.
Is that you?
It's supposed to be. [chuckles]
And the figure beside him?
I didn't think I could paint him.
But I did.
My father as Joseph.
It's brilliant.
[scoffs] No, it isn't.
It's a chaotic mess.
I overreached.
I attempted to cram too many ideas
into a single work.
I'm still deciding whether to finish it.
Oh
Leonardo
when you were with Saltarelli
I betrayed you to the Podesta.
I know.
You know?
You wanted my place.
The timings of the arrest
suggested no one else.
And
And you're not angry?
Not any more.
In some ways, you did me a favour.
Marco and Giulio told me
you're going to Milan.
Mm-hmm.
Take me with you.
Whatever for?
You'll need someone to help you.
I couldn't pay you.
I could learn from you.
Your talent will be payment enough.
What did you learn from Leonardo?
More than I wished.
[Stefano] About art?
About ruthlessness.
[horse neighs]
For all Leonardo's gifts,
I think it's true.
He is cursed.
- [bells tolling]
- [birds chirping]
[Stefano] Did you confess?
[jail cell door closes]
To my sins, not to murder.
You asked me about the colour of the sky.
I can tell you now.
The sky is not blue.
It's every colour of the rainbow.
Invisible at first,
but as the sun moves from east to west,
so does the spectrum of colours,
which is why it's red when the sun sets.
Very good.
You have seen beyond the obvious.
I saw Tommaso Masini today.
He told me he believes
you're capable of murder.
Well, Tommaso has a reason to hate me.
He didn't seem to hate you.
He seemed to pity you.
Pity? Why?
He told me the story about you as a child.
About the curse.
[cries]
Superstitious nonsense.
You hide inside
that great brain of yours, Leonardo.
Like it's some impenetrable shell,
protecting you from us mortals.
But you're only human,
filled with the same fears
and weaknesses as the rest of us.
[bird screeches]
You said you were concerned with facts.
- What did the old woman tell your mother?
- Nothing.
What is this curse
that's hung over you your entire life?
- [speaks Italian]
- [baby cries]
It's ridiculous.
- [Stefano] Then what does it matter?
- It doesn't!
Just tell me what she said!
She said I will destroy what I love!
That's what she said.