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Codex Atlanticus Exhibit at Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library Nearing End

The clock is ticking for people interested in visiting the "Imagining the Future - Leonardo da Vinci: In the Mind of an Italian Genius." The exhibit showcasing 12 original drawings from the Codex Atlanticus on display at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library is closing to the public on August 20.

This exhibit marks the first time the Codex Atlanticus has been displayed in the U.S., offering a rare insight into da Vinci's brilliant mind. At the end of the exhibit, the drawings will return to Milan, where they will be placed out of public view for three years.

Visitors should consider the best times to visit as the exhibit approaches its final days. Since the exhibition opened on June 21, it has drawn more than 15,000 visitors. Over this time, weekday mornings and evenings have been less crowded, with a wait time of at most 15 minutes. Wait times of 30 min or more have occurred from 11am-1pm. Weekends have been busier, with wait times sometimes extending to more than an hour.

Upon arrival, visitors join a virtual line. With a children's exhibit, Leonardo's Lab, on the second floor, plus a host of other Library offerings, there are many options for visitors who experience a wait. 

The exhibit is open during the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library’s operating hours.

  • Sunday: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Monday through Thursday: 9:30 am to 9:00 pm
  • Friday and Saturday: 9:30 am to 5:30 pm

Capacity in the exhibition is limited to 15 people at a time for the protection of the artwork. Groups of five or more may request a group tour by emailing MLKexhibits@dc.gov.

"Imagining the Future - Leonardo da Vinci: In the Mind of an Italian Genius" exhibit at the Library is presented by Confindustria in partnership with Biblioteca Ambrosiana. The Art and Exhibit program at DC Public Library is made possible through the support of the DC Public Library Foundation. For more information visit dclibrary.org/leonardo-da-vinci.

Audiences: All Ages