Leonardo's Shadow

Leonardo’s Shadow: Or, My Astonishing Life as Leonardo da Vinci’s Servant is a young adult historical book by Christopher Peter Grey. First published in 2005, the book is a fictionalized account of how Leonardo da Vinci’s servant must help him complete a delayed but very important painting before Leonardo’s career is destroyed forever. The book won the 2007 IRA Children’s and Young Adult’s Book Award. Grey is a young adult writer who specializes in historical fiction. Leonardo’s Shadow is his debut novel.

Although Leonardo’s Shadow is aimed at a teenage audience, it’s popular with adults looking for accessible fiction around Leonardo da Vinci. In this book, the plot centers around Leonardo’s most famous painting, “The Last Supper,” and the controversy surrounding who painted the work. Leonardo’s Shadow is a work of fiction, but it’s loosely based on real events and historical figures.

Leonardo’s Shadow begins in late 15th-century Milan. Italy’s experiencing a cultural revolution, and the period gives birth to some of the greatest artists in European history. The protagonist is a young man called Giacomo. Giacomo doesn’t have much money and he doesn’t have a purpose in life. He envies the Renaissance artists and the masterpieces they create. He wishes he could create something so beautiful.



When Giacomo is eight, he falls from a church rooftop. Although he survives, he never fully recovers. He later contracts the plague and loses his memory. He doesn’t have a family looking out for him and he’s living on the streets. Giacomo expects that he’ll die homeless and alone as a young boy.

Leonardo discovers Giacomo and offers him a job. Giacomo becomes Leonardo’s servant, which means he looks after all Leonardo’s affairs. He takes care of everything so Leonardo can focus solely on his art. Secretly, Giacomo hopes that Leonardo will show him how to paint. Leonardo, however, is too busy for a student.

Giacomo doesn’t give up hope of an apprenticeship, and he continues working for Leonardo. He learns all about Leonardo’s painting business, his finances, and his benefactors. Leonardo’s benefactors fund his paintings and projects. They are Leonardo’s sole source of income. Leonardo has accounts with local shopkeepers and he’s comfortable enough financially. Giacomo doesn’t have any reason to worry about his future.



Leonardo’s most important benefactor is the Duke of Milan. The Duke wants to impress Pope Alexander when he visits the city at Easter. The Duke needs the Pope’s support against an impending French invasion, and a religious painting will secure that support. Although Leonardo agrees to the painting, he admits he needs time to complete it.

What the Duke doesn’t know is how long Leonardo plans on taking to finish the painting that they’ve called “The Last Supper.” Two years pass, and Leonardo’s stopped working on it. The Duke is incensed. He confronts Leonardo and demands that he finishes the painting immediately. He offers Leonardo an ultimatum: finish the painting by the time the Pope makes his Easter visit, or Leonardo no longer has benefactors.

Leonardo knows the Duke can make or break his career. Michelangelo, a rising star, waits on the sidelines for his chance to shine. The Duke plans on letting Michelangelo complete the painting if Leonardo doesn’t. Leonardo will lose his reputation and his money. Unsurprisingly, Giacomo fears for his own future. He’s got nowhere to go if Leonardo falls out of favor.



Giacomo begs Leonardo to complete his painting. Leonardo explains that he hasn’t finished it because the church wall where he’s painting “The Last Supper” is damp and moldy. The wall won’t hold the paint. Giacomo, however, knows the truth—Leonardo’s working on inventions that he hasn’t told the Duke about, including a flying machine. He’s neglected his art in favor of science.

Meanwhile, shopkeepers confront Leonardo because he hasn’t paid them recently. Leonardo explains that the Duke’s withholding funds until he completes “The Last Supper.” Giacomo suggests that, instead of payment, Leonardo imposes the shopkeepers onto the painting. The shopkeepers can be the disciples. The shopkeepers agree to this compromise.

Leonardo works diligently on his painting. He charges Giacomo with working on his flying machine. The pair work alongside each other happily until, one day, the Duke arrives again. He discovers the flying machine and demands a demonstration. He explains that Giacomo must fly the machine at the Easter celebration so the Pope can see it. Giacomo’s terrified, but he’s powerless to argue with the Duke of Milan.



Leonardo finally finishes “The Last Supper.” The Pope enjoys the painting and agrees to discuss alliances with the Duke. The Duke hosts the Pope at his castle and invites both Giacomo and Leonardo. Giacomo test drives the flying machine and it stuns everyone—everyone, that is, except for the Pope. The Pope thinks the machine is evil and against God’s will.

The Duke talks the Pope down and promises to ground the flying machine. The Pope then agrees to support the Duke against France. The painting opens to the public and Leonardo’s celebrated once more. Now that he’s got more time and he’s more relaxed, he offers Giacomo what he’s always wanted: a painting apprenticeship.