n July 1956, all of Italy mourned the tragic loss of the Andrea Doria, which sank after being struck by another ship in the fog of the Atlantic Ocean. The decision to replace it with a new flagship was made immediately, and the project and construction were carried out in record time.
By 7 December 1958, the Leonardo da Vinci was launched. The advertising campaign to promote the ship was marked by great emphasis, as it was crucial to make the international public forget the recent tragedy. The Leonardo da Vinci was presented as one of the safest and most advanced ocean liners ever to set sail, even being prepared for nuclear propulsion.
The Giacomo Patrone company of Genoa Sestri was commissioned to create two models of the ship, the largest in the world, which were exhibited in both Italy and the United States. The larger of the two, measuring 11.6 meters, was a sectional model that meticulously reproduced the ship’s interior furnishings and fittings, including artworks.
The official portrait of the Leonardo da Vinci, its "formal portrait," was entrusted to Giovanni Patrone, one of the most prolific naval illustrators from Genoa in the 20th century. His original sketch, displayed here, was used in a multitude of promotional materials: posters, flyers, brochures, postcards, and more. He also designed the sketch for the brass plaque gifted to those invited to the ship's launch, minted by the renowned Genoese jeweller Filippo Chiappe, which is also exhibited here.
The Leonardo da Vinci entered service in 1960, coinciding with the Rome Olympics, symbolising the pride and resurgence of the entire nation.