In 1495, the most almighty genius in human history appeared

Katarina, a model, feels anxious about her scar while posing for art students. Tomaso, the assistant, rudely adjusts her, leading to a tense atmosphere. Leonardo notices her scar, and when asked to present his drawing, he submits a blank sheet, believing her imperfections don't fit the 'perfect goddess' theme, which results in his expulsion from the studio the next day.

Katarina confronts Leonardo about his comments, leading to her being fired. Leonardo, remorseful, offers to pay her to model for him again. Later, Leonardo encounters a distressed Teacher Andrea, who is struggling to lift an 18-ton cross onto a church. Leonardo, inspired by smoke, devises an innovative solution involving wheels and a pulley system. His design impresses Andrea, securing his return to the studio.

Teacher Andrea tasks Leonardo with painting an angel for the church, teaching him about light and color. Leonardo, envisioning Katarina, paints a stunning angel that earns him widespread acclaim, even an invitation from Duke Ludovico. Tomaso, consumed by jealousy, fabricates a story that leads to Leonardo's arrest for misconduct. Katarina supports Leonardo, who is eventually rescued by a relative of the Jaw Bank.

Teacher Andrea expels Leonardo due to concerns about his reputation. Leonardo is then invited by the Jaw Bank to paint Genevieve, the bank owner's sad daughter. Despite Katarina's advice, Leonardo struggles to capture Genevieve's true joy. He later discovers Genevieve's unrequited love for Gallazo. Leonardo eventually captures her true melancholy, which displeases her family and leaves him without payment.

Leonardo's father opens a gallery for him, but his first artwork is rejected. Katarina leaves for Milan with Gallazo, while Tomaso apologizes to Leonardo for his past actions and becomes his apprentice. They move to Milan, where Leonardo tries to impress Duke Ludovico with war machine designs, but is initially dismissed. He then proposes designing a masterpiece, leading to an opportunity to stage a play.

Leonardo decides to create a colossal equestrian statue. He conceptualizes a leaping horse with an enemy beneath its front legs to support its weight. Meanwhile, Katarina faces an uncomfortable proposition from Duke Ludovico, whose wife encourages her to comply for stability. Katarina seeks Leonardo's advice, but he is preoccupied with his work, leaving her in a difficult position.

Ludovico initially dismisses Leonardo's small model but is impressed when shown its true scale. The French army attacks, forcing Ludovico to reallocate the bronze for weapons, devastating Leonardo. Ludovico's wife dies in childbirth, and in his grief, he cancels the sculpture commission, instead commissioning Leonardo to paint 'The Last Supper'. Katarina uncovers a plot to poison Ludovico's nephew, who dies despite Leonardo's efforts.

Katarina, fearing for her life, leaves Milan, pregnant. Leonardo continues 'The Last Supper', developing new techniques and meticulously perfecting every detail. The French army attacks again, killing a worker and forcing Leonardo to flee to Florence. He is asked to paint Mona Lisa, but struggles with her enigmatic smile. He accepts a commission from Duke Cesari of Imola to design a water system and rebuild city walls, despite the danger.

Leonardo devises innovative solutions for Imola's water supply and defense, impressing Cesari. He creates a mapping cart and explores the city to understand its terrain. An assassin attempts to threaten Leonardo, but Cesari intervenes. Leonardo desires to leave, but Cesari forces him to design a weapon, threatening his life. He witnesses Cesari's ruthlessness, solidifying his desire to escape.

Katarina appeals to Leonardo's estranged father for help, who, after some hesitation, arranges Leonardo's release by offering Cesari a chest of gold. Leonardo returns to Florence, still grappling with the Mona Lisa. Michelangelo rises as a rival, showcasing his statue of David, which Leonardo dismisses. Leonardo accepts a challenging mural commission on war, which sets up a public rivalry with Michelangelo.

Leonardo prepares his mural, facing technical challenges and Michelangelo's taunts. His father visits, praising his talent, a longed-for validation. After his father's death, Leonardo finds meaning in his art. He and Michelangelo abandon their murals, ending their rivalry. Marco reveals Katarina gave birth to Leonardo's son. Gallazo, seeking to regain power for Ludovico, discovers the child, leading to a dangerous plot.

Gallazo, acting on Ludovico's orders, attempts to kidnap the child. Leonardo protects his son by staging Katarina's death and destroying all related artworks, leading to his arrest for murder. At his execution, a judge reveals a letter implicating Gallazo in the nephew's murder and Katarina's death. The judge, understanding Leonardo's sacrifice, uncovers his elaborate plan to protect the child. Katarina and her son eventually leave, while Leonardo completes the Mona Lisa.

At a banquet, Ludovico is poisoned. Leonardo, recognizing the symptoms, administers an antidote. He deduces the steward and Ronaldo, a male model, are co-conspirators. During Leonardo's play, Gallazo kills Ronaldo, revealing a coup attempt by Ronaldo and the steward. Ludovico commissions Leonardo to sculpt a statue of his father, inspired by a dramatic image of a horse during a thunderstorm.