THE date for an exhibition showcasing one of the most important artists of all time has been released.

Twelve drawings by Leonardo da Vinci will go on show at Southampton City Art Gallery from February 1 next year.

As reported the city is one of only twelve in the UK and the only one on the south coast to take part in the simultaneous show - which has been organised to celebrate 500 years since the death of the renaissance master.

But the date will also mark the opening of a show by city artist and musician Greg Gilbert, who has chosen to show work that resonate with da Vinci's.

Greg - who was frontman of Southampton band Delays - said: "“To be exhibiting alongside one of art’s seminal figures at Southampton City Art Gallery is a wonderful honour”.

Greg Gilbert pictured at Trago in <a href=Portswood."> Greg Gilbert pictured at Trago in Portswood.

Leonardo da Vinci: A Life in Drawing will feature 12 drawings, which have been selected to reflect the full range of Leonardo’s interests – painting, sculpture, architecture, music, anatomy, engineering, cartography, geology and botany.

The exhibition will also include examples of all the drawing materials employed by the artist, including pen and ink, red and black chalks, watercolour and metalpoint. They will present new information about Leonardo’s working practices and creative process, gathered through scientific research including ultraviolet imaging, infrared reflectography and X-ray fluorescence.

Housed as part of the Royal Collection Trust many of the drawings have not been seen recently by the general public.

City arts boss Councillor Satvir Kaur said: "It is a great honour to be welcoming Leonardo da Vinci’s drawings to Southampton City Art Gallery, in the heart of Southampton’s Cultural Quarter. We are delighted to be part of this truly remarkable national project, in partnership with Royal Collection Trust. Leonardo da Vinci is one of the greatest artists of all time, and we are thrilled to be the only gallery on the south coast to be hosting this exhibition.”

The gallery will also be displaying drawings from its Designated Fine Art collection, which demonstrate the importance of drawing in an artist’s practise, and its significance as a medium in its own right. This will all feature alongside an engaging programme of learning activities and events to celebrate the genius of Leonardo.

The exhibition will run from 1 February – 6 May 2019.