10.04.2017 Oksana Kopenkina
Leonardo da Vinci. Mona Lisa (detail). 1503-1519 Louvre, Paris
Leonardo da Vinci is the most famous artist in the world. Which in itself is amazing. There are only 19 surviving paintings by the master. How is this possible? Two dozen works makes the artist the greatest?
It's all about Leonardo himself. He is one of the most extraordinary people ever born. Inventor of various mechanisms. The discoverer of many phenomena. virtuoso musician. And also a cartographer, botanist and anatomist.
In his notes we find descriptions of a bicycle, a submarine, a helicopter and a tanker. Not to mention scissors, life jacket and contact lenses.
His innovations in painting were also incredible. He was one of the first to use oil paints. Sfumato effect and light and shade modulation. He was the first to inscribe figures in the landscape. His models in portraits became living people, not painted mannequins.
Here are just 5 masterpieces of the master. Which demonstrate all the genius of this man.
1. Madonna in the rocks. 1483-1486
Leonardo da Vinci. Madonna in the rocks. 1483-1486 Louvre, Paris. wikimedia.commons.org Young Virgin Mary. A pretty angel in a red cloak. And two fat kids. The Holy Family with baby Jesus were returning from Egypt. Along the way, meeting little John the Baptist.
This is the first painting in the history of painting when people are depicted not in front of the landscape, but inside it. Heroes sit by the water. Behind the rocks. So old that they look more like stalactites.
The "Madonna in the Rocks" was ordered by the monks of the brotherhood of St. Francis for one of the churches in Milan. But the customers were not happy. Leonardo delayed the deadlines. They also didn't like the lack of halos. They were also embarrassed by the gesture of the angel. Why is it his forefinger directed at John the Baptist? After all, the baby Jesus is the most important.
Leonardo sold the painting on the side. The monks got angry and sued. The artist was required to write new picture for monks. Only with halos and without the pointing gesture of an angel.
By official version this is how the second “Madonna in the Rocks” appeared. Almost identical to the first. But there is something strange about her.
Leonardo da Vinci. Madonna in the rocks. 1508 National Gallery of London. Leonardo carefully studied plants. Even made a number of discoveries in the field of botany. It was he who realized that tree sap plays the same role as blood in a person's veins. I also guessed to determine the age of trees by rings.
Therefore, it is not surprising that the vegetation in the Louvre painting is realistic. It is these plants that grow in a humid, dark place. But in the second picture, the flora is fictional.
How did Leonardo, so truthful in depicting nature, suddenly decide to dream up? In a single picture? Unthinkable.
I think Leonardo was not interested in painting the second picture. And he instructed his student to make a copy. Who clearly did not understand botany.
2. Lady with an ermine. 1489-1490
Leonardo da Vinci. Lady with an ermine. 1489-1490 Chertoryski Museum, Krakow. wikimedia.commons.org Before us is young Cecilia Gallerani. She was the mistress of the ruler of Milan, Ludovico Sforza. At the court of which Leonardo also served.
Smiling, kind and smart girl. She was an interesting conversationalist. Often and for a long time they talked with Leonardo.
The portrait is very unusual. Leonardo's contemporaries painted people in profile. Here Cecilia stands in three quarters. Turning his head to the opposite side. As if she looked back at someone's words. This turn makes the line of the shoulders and neck especially beautiful.
Alas, we see the portrait in a modified form. Someone from the owners of the portrait darkened the background. Leonardo's was lighter. With a window over the girl's left shoulder. The two lower fingers of her hand are also rewritten. Therefore, they are curved unnaturally.
It is worth talking about the ermine. Such an animal seems to us a curiosity. A modern person would be more accustomed to seeing a fluffy cat in the hands of a girl.
But for the 15th century, it was the ermine that was an ordinary animal. They were kept to catch mice. And the cats were just exotic.
3. The Last Supper. 1495-1598
Leonardo da Vinci. The Last Supper. 1495-1498 Monastery of Santa Maria delle Grazia, Milan The fresco “The Last Supper” was ordered by the same Ludovico Sforza at the request of his wife, Beatrice d’Este. Alas, she died quite young in childbirth. Never saw the finished painting.
The Duke was beside himself with grief. Realizing how dear to him was a cheerful and beautiful wife. The more he was grateful to Leonardo for the work done.
He generously paid off the artist. By handing him 2,000 ducats (with our money, this is about 800 thousand dollars), and also by transferring to him a large plot of land.
When the inhabitants of Milan could see the fresco, there was no limit to amazement. The apostles differed not only in appearance, but also in their emotions and gestures. Each of them reacted in their own way to the words of Christ, “One of you will betray me.” Never before has the individuality of the characters been as pronounced as in Leonardo's.
The painting has another amazing detail. The restorers found that Leonardo painted the shadows not in gray or black, but in blue! This was unthinkable until the middle of the 19th century. When colored shadows began to write.
Leonardo da Vinci. Fragment of the Last Supper. 1495-1498 Monastery of Santa Maria delle Grazia, Milan This is not so clearly visible on the reproduction, but the composition of the paint speaks for itself (blue crystals of copper acetate).
Read about other unusual details of the painting in the article.
4. Mona Lisa. 1503-1519
Leonardo da Vinci. Mona Lisa. 1503-1519 . wikimedia.commons.org In the portrait we see Lisa Gherardini, the wife of a Florentine silk merchant. This version is official, but doubtful.
We got one curious description this portrait. It was left by Leonardo's student, Francesco Melzi. And under this description, the Louvre lady does not fit at all. I wrote about this in detail in the article. .
Now another version of the woman's personality is being considered. It may be a portrait of Giuliano de' Medici's mistress from Florence. She bore him a son. And she died shortly after giving birth.
Giuliano commissioned a portrait of Leonardo especially for the boy. In the image of the ideal mother-Madonna. Leonardo painted a portrait from the words of the customer. Adding to them the features of his student Salai.
Therefore, the Florentine lady is so similar to "John the Baptist" (see the next picture). For which the same Salai posed.
In this portrait, the sfumato method is revealed to the maximum. A barely perceptible haze, shading the lines, makes the Mona Lisa almost alive. It looks like her lips are about to part. She will sigh. The chest will rise.
The portrait was never given to the customer. Since in 1516 Giuliano died. Leonardo took him to France, where he was invited by King Francis I. He last day continued to work on it. Why so long?
Leonardo had a completely different perception of time. He was the first to claim that the Earth is much older than commonly thought. He did not believe that he brought shells to the mountains biblical flood. Realizing that in place of the mountains there was once a sea.
Therefore, it was common for him to paint a picture for decades. What is 15-20 years compared to the age of the Earth!
5. John the Baptist. 1514-1516
Leonardo da Vinci. Saint John the Baptist. 1513-1516 Louvre, Paris. wga.hu "John the Baptist" puzzled Leonardo's contemporaries. Silent dark background. Whereas even Leonardo himself liked to arrange the figures against the backdrop of nature.
The figure of a saint emerges from the darkness. And it is difficult to call him a saint. Everyone is used to the elderly John. And then the pretty young man pointedly bowed his head. Gentle touch of the hand on the chest. Well-groomed curls of hair.
IN last turn you think of holiness when you look at this effeminate man in the skin of a leopard.
Don't you think that this picture does not seem to belong at all? It's more like the 17th century. Hero's mannerisms. theatrical gestures. Contrast of light and shadow. All this comes from the Baroque era.
Leonardo looked into the future? Predicting the style and manner of painting of the next century.
Who was Leonardo? Most know him as an artist. But his genius is not limited to this vocation.
After all, he was the first to explain why the sky is blue. He believed in the unity of all life in the world. Anticipating the theorists of quantum physics with their “butterfly effect”. He realized such a phenomenon as turbulence. 400 years before its official opening.
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The paintings of Leonardo da Vinci are beautiful and full of mysteries. They are brought to an unthinkable degree of perfection, because the master worked on each of his creations for several years.
Our list includes all greatest paintings Leonardo da Vinci, with photos, names and detailed information about each of them. The list did not include drawings of inventions, caricatures, as well as paintings, in relation to which art critics have doubts that they belong to Leonardo's brush. Also not included in the selection are copies of paintings that have not survived to this day.
Years of writing: 1490.
Where is: Academy Gallery, Venice.
Materials: paper, pen, ink, watercolor.
Dimensions: 34.3 x 24.5 cm.
If you say that this is not a painting, but a drawing, you will be absolutely right. Indeed, the Vitruvian Man is a drawing, an illustration made by Leonardo for the book of the great ancient Roman architect Mark Vitruvius and placed in one of his diaries.
However, this drawing is no less famous than the paintings listed in our list. It is considered not only a work of art, but also scientific work. And demonstrates ideal proportions human body.
After studying mathematics and geometry, in particular the work of Vitruvius, Leonardo's thirst for knowledge reached its zenith. In Vitruvian Man, he applied the idea of universal symmetry, the golden ratio, or "divine proportion" not only to size and shape, but also to weight.
- 6 palms = 1 cubit;
- length from the tip of the longest to the lowest base of 4 fingers = 1 palm;
- 4 palms = 1 foot;
- arm span = height;
- 4 palms = 1 step;
- 4 cubits or 24 palms = the height of a person.
Other world-famous paintings by Leonardo da Vinci that incorporate the golden ratio are Mona Lisa, The Annunciation and The Last Supper.
Years of writing: 1478 — 1480.
Where is: Alte Pinakothek, Munich.
Materials: oil painting on the board.
Dimensions: 42 x 67 cm.
Many art historians attribute this work to the young Leonardo, when he was still an apprentice in the painting workshop of Verrocchio. There are a number of details that support this version, such as the detailing of the Madonna's face, the drawing of her hair, the landscape outside the window, and the Italian artist's characteristic soft and scattered light.
Unfortunately, the years did not spare the picture, and due to improper restoration, the surface of the paint layer went uneven.
Years of writing: 1472 — 1476.
Where is: Uffizi, Florence.
Materials: oil painting on the board.
Dimensions: 98 x 217 cm.
It was with the "Annunciation" that Leonardo da Vinci began as an artist. This painting was supposedly created in collaboration with Andrea del Verrocchio, to whose workshop he was given at the age of 14 years old. In favor of the authorship of the future famous Italian master says the amazing anatomical accuracy characteristic of all Leonardo's works, as well as a number of sketches in the diaries that have survived to this day. In favor of the authorship of another person - the nature of the strokes and the composition of the colors with which Mary was written; they contain uncharacteristic lead for da Vinci.
Interestingly, if you look at the picture standing right in front of it, then some flaws in the anatomy are noticeable. For example, Mary's hand seems to be somewhat longer than is typical for ordinary inhabitants of the planet Earth. However, if you go to the right side of the picture and look from there, then Mary's hand magically shortens, she herself becomes larger, and the center of gravity of the plot is transferred to her figure - as prescribed by the plot. Most likely, the alleged irregularity in physique is the result of a carefully designed optical illusion: the picture was supposed to hang at an angle to the viewer.
Years of writing: 1476
Where is: Uffizi, Florence.
Materials: oil painting on the board.
Dimensions: 177 x 151 cm.
And Leonardo wrote this work in collaboration with his teacher. According to Giorgio Vasari, who compiled the biography of the artist, Verrocchio instructed the young apprentice (at the time of writing the picture, Leonardo was 24 years old) to paint the figure of a white-haired angel in the left corner of the picture. The teacher was so impressed with the skill of the student that he, disgraced, no longer painted.
Years of writing: 1474 — 1478.
Where is: National Gallery of Art, Washington.
Materials: oil painting on the board.
Dimensions: 38.8 x 36.7 cm.
The wreath of laurel and palm branches on the back of the picture hints that it depicts a difficult woman. The first wreath indicates her poetic pursuits, and the second indicates that she is not a stranger to mercy and compassion. This impression is supported by the strict and somewhat severe beauty of the model, her pale alabaster skin, and her eyelids lowered, as if in thought. Her intellectual pursuits are also indicated by the almost complete absence of jewelry and emphatically modest clothing. And rightly so - the painting depicts the poetess Ginevra de Benci.
The manner of the image (especially shading with fingers - Leonardo has just begun to master this technique, so the paint layer is uneven in places) already speaks loudly about the skill of the creator. Especially characteristic soft lighting and the landscape in the background, as if shrouded in a luminous haze.
Years of writing: 1479 — 1481.
Where is: Hermitage, St. Petersburg.
Materials: oil painting on canvas.
Dimensions: 48 x 31.5 cm.
“Ghost of an old woman” with a “wrinkled neck”, “swollen body” and “toothless grin” - such unflattering words described the picture by an American art historian, who was instructed to establish authorship by the owners - the Benois family. Despite all the colorful epithets, he still attributed it as belonging to the brush of Leonardo da Vinci - both the manner of painting and the soft diffused light inherent in the artist, naturally creating the volume of two figures, speak in favor of this.
One of symbolic details- a cruciferous plant, hinting at what fate awaits the child. However, neither the mother nor the baby knows about it yet. He plays carelessly, and she looks at him with a smile.
Years of writing: 1479 — 1482.
Where is: Uffizi, Florence.
Materials: oil painting on the board.
Dimensions: 246 x 243.
One of the paintings of the great artist, sculptor, scientist and engineer of the Renaissance, unfortunately, remained unfinished. Leonardo moved to a place of residence in Milan and was not going to return. Fortunately, the customers kept the unfinished painting. It is notable for its non-standard composition and rich symbolic meaning.
For example, Mary sits under an oak tree, which is a symbol of eternity, a palm tree grows in the distance - a sign of Jerusalem, and the ruins of a pagan temple on the horizon - the destruction of the pagan religion, which was replaced by Christianity.
Years of writing: 1480 — 1490.
Where is: Vatican Pinakothek.
Materials: oil painting on the board.
Dimensions: 103 x 75 cm.
Despite the fact that the picture remained unfinished, it made a strong impression on contemporaries. This is primarily due to the amazing anatomical accuracy of the image of the human body, which Leonardo was famous for.
I expected the picture difficult fate- after some time, the work was sawn, and the boards were used for the most base purposes. It is alleged that one of the art lovers found part of the picture in the form of a chest lid.
Years of writing: 1478 — 1482.
Where is: Hermitage Museum.
Materials: tempera, board.
Dimensions: 42 x 33.
The mastery of the great Italian artist was manifested, among other things, in the details that tell a kind of story. For example, a woman's red dress is equipped with special cuts for feeding, one of which is sewn up. Apparently, she decided that it was time to stop breast-feeding. But one of them was ripped open in a hurry - stitches and hanging ends of the thread are visible.
Years of writing: 1483 - 1490 and 1495 - 1508.
Where is: Louvre and London National Gallery.
Materials: oil painting on the board.
Dimensions: 199 x 122 cm
In the world there are two almost identical works by Leonardo with the same name. One is in Paris and the other is in London. The first version of da Vinci was ordered for the altar door, and with a clearly defined plot. However, the artist, apparently, considered that his talent and skill give him the right to some liberties. As a result, there were so many of them that customers refused to pay for the work. A long-term lawsuit began, which, however, ended relatively successfully. The second version began to hang in the church, and the first one disappeared from the art criticism radars for about a hundred and fifty years, until it was found in the treasury of the French kings.
Like many other paintings by Leonardo, this one is full of encrypted messages. Cyclamen next to Jesus symbolizes love, primrose - virtue, acanthus - the coming resurrection, and St. John's wort - the blood shed by Christian martyrs. It was this picture that the author of the sensational "The Da Vinci Code" tried to use as an illustration of his constructions, where he stated that in fact the meaning of the traditional plot is completely different.
Years of writing: 1485 — 1487.
Where is: Ambrosian Library, Milan.
Materials: oil painting on the board.
Dimensions: 43 x 31.
The only portrait image of a man among famous paintings da Vinci. Initially, art historians believed that the painting depicted the Duke of Milan himself, the patron and friend of Leonardo da Vinci (as far as a person occupying such a social position can be someone else's friend). Until it was subsequently discovered that the young man was clutching a scroll in his hands, beginning with the words "angelic song." Therefore, the painting was renamed "Portrait of a Musician". And a number of art critics make a bold assumption that this is Leonardo himself, because music was also part of his sphere of interests.
Years of writing: 1488 — 1490.
Where is: Czartoryski Museum, Krakow.
Materials: oil painting on the board.
Dimensions: 54.8 x 40.3 cm.
Although the authorship of the brilliant Italian artist was sometimes questioned, in currently art critics agreed: this is one of the best paintings by Leonardo da Vinci, if not the most perfect from a picturesque point of view. It is believed that the artist, who adored riddles and ciphers, encrypted her name in the image of a white animal in the hands of the model. In Latin, the mustelid family is called gale, and the name of the girl is Caecilia Gallerani.
The snow-white skin of an ermine (and the portrait most likely depicts it) is a daring challenge to the somewhat dubious status of the kept woman of the Duke of Milan. By folk beliefs, this animal so values \u200b\u200bits immaculate white fur that it is ready to die rather than stain it with dirt.
Years of writing: 1495 — 1498.
Where is: Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, Milan.
Materials: fresco.
Dimensions: 460 x 880 cm.
One of the most famous paintings by Leonardo da Vinci, in fact, is not one. This is a kind of the largest and most unsuccessful experiment of the great Italian scientist. At the end of the 15th century, the Duke of Milan ordered the famous artist to paint the wall of the monastery for an amount that would now be equivalent to 700 thousand dollars.
It was assumed that the artist, like many before him, would paint on wet plaster - after the final polishing, such painting would be strong and durable. However, the fresco imposes its own limitations - in addition to the specific manner of applying paints (it is required to write immediately and in white, further corrections are impossible), only some pigments are suitable for it. And then their brightness decreases, "eaten" by a well-absorbing surface.
For Leonardo, who was skeptical of authorities, who reached everything on his own and, apparently, was proud of this circumstance, such restrictions were unbearable. With true renaissance scope, he decided to discard the legacy of the past and rework the entire process - from the composition of the plaster to the paints used. The result was predictable. The paint layer of the fresco began to collapse two decades after the end of the work. In addition to unsuccessful technical solutions, the picture also suffered from time.
First, the inhabitants of the monastery decided to saw off Christ's legs, making a door in this place, and then untalented painters, trying to renew the painting, godlessly distorted its plot (for example, the hand of one of the apostles turned into ... a loaf). The building was flooded, then a hayloft was made out of it, and a bomb hit the temple in World War II. Fortunately, the fresco was not damaged by it. It is not surprising that barely 20% of the original painting has survived to our time.
It is interesting that this crumbling and from time to time tinted image long years was the most famous painting by da Vinci - what is there, the only one available to a simple viewer. The rest were all kept by the rich of this world. The status quo changed only with the transfer of the Mona Lisa from Napoleon's bedchamber to the Louvre.
From the other two frescoes created by da Vinci, only fragments have survived to this day.
Years of writing: 1493 — 1497.
Where is: Louvre, Paris.
Materials: oil painting on the board.
Dimensions: 62 x 44 cm.
with one of the most famous paintings Leonardo da Vinci tied interesting legend. When the painting came to France, one of the owners made an inscription on it - "ferroniera". This mysterious word (as well as the undoubted beauty of a woman) excited the imagination of people close to art for many years.
The gallant "historian of love", Guy Breton, who already lived in our time, composed a whole story. Allegedly, the nameless beauty was the mistress of Francis the First, and she began to wear her jewelry to hide the bruise received during the night with the king.
Most likely, the painting by Leonardo da Vinci with the title "Beautiful Ferroniera" depicts Lucrezia Crivelli. She was one of the mistresses of Leonardo's patron, the Duke of Milan. And the name comes from her forehead decoration - ferroniere.
Years of writing: 1500 — 1505.
Where is: National Gallery, Parma.
Materials: oil painting on the board.
Dimensions: 24.6 x 21 cm.
The unfinished image of a young woman with a careless hairstyle (hence the other name of the painting - La Scapigliata, disheveled) is written in a manner similar to other unfinished works - oil paints with a small amount of pigment. Art critics, however, believe that the contrast between the barely outlined hair and the superbly executed face was part of the artist's plans.
Probably, Leonardo was inspired by a passage from the ancient writer Pliny the Elder, popular during the Renaissance. He said that great artist Apelles deliberately left his last painting of the Venus of Cossus unfinished, and that admirers admired it more than his other works.
Years of writing: 1501 — 1517.
Where is: Louvre, Paris.
Materials: oil painting on the board.
Dimensions: 168 x 112 cm.
Contemporaries deeply appreciated the liveliness and naturalness of facial expressions of all three participants in the scene - especially Leonard's signature mysterious half-smile, with which Anna looks at her daughter and grandson.
2. Mona Lisa (La Gioconda)
Years of writing: 1502 — 1516.
Where is: Louvre, Paris.
Materials: oil painting on the board.
Dimensions: 76.8 x 53.
Probably hard to find the globe a person who would not know "Gioconda". This is definitely the most famous work talented Italian. Many mysteries and mysteries of this painting by Leonardo da Vinci have not been solved so far:
"Mona Lisa" had special meaning in the life of an artist, it is no secret that sometimes, carried away by something new, he would return with great reluctance to an interrupted work. However, he worked on the Gioconda with passion and enthusiasm. Why?
It is not clear exactly who is depicted in the portrait. Was it the wife of the merchant del Giocondo? Or the same woman who posed for The Lady with the Ermine? There is even a version that Salai, one of the artist's apprentices, depicted by him in at least two more paintings, acted as a model for Mona Lisa.
What color was the Gioconda's dress originally? Apparently, Leonardo again experimented with paints, and again unsuccessfully, so nothing remained of the original color of the sleeves. Contemporaries, by the way, admired the luxurious coloring of the picture.
And, finally, a mysterious half-smile - does she smile at all, or is it just an illusion skillfully created by the artist due to the shadows in the corners of her lips?
Years of writing: 1508 — 1516.
Where is: Louvre, Paris.
Materials: oil painting on the board.
Dimensions: 69 x 57 cm.
The artist's last painting, which supposedly depicts Salai, one of the artist's apprentices, who, for unknown reasons, enjoyed the special disposition of Leonardo. The master forgave the disciple a lot. Up to the theft of money for a cloak bought in advance, in which Salai was draped for "Bacchus" - a painting that has survived to this day only in the form of a copy. A pampered face, carefully curled curls and a particularly immodest half-smile gave rise to certain doubts about the nature of the relationship between master and apprentice.
However, it is difficult to understand anything from the artist’s diaries - after allegations of sodomy at a young age, he carefully avoided mentioning his personal life anywhere. By the will, he left his estate and money, by the way, to Leonardo to the same Salai and one more of his assistants.
Turin self-portrait by Leonardo da Vinci
Leonardo da Vinci - Turin self-portrait Years of writing: after 1512.
Where is: Royal Library, Turin.
Materials: sanguine, paper.
Dimensions: 33.3 x 21.6 cm.
It is considered a self-portrait of the artist, drawn at the age of 60. The portrait is made with a stick for drawing from kaolin and iron oxides, which is why the painting has a yellowish tint. Currently not exhibited due to fragility.
There is still controversy surrounding the authorship of the popular work, despite the fact that the shading goes from left to right, as was customary for Leonardo, but some art historians consider it a fake. According to some reports, during X-ray photography, a painting was found under the image of an old man, presumably dated to the 17th century.
The most expensive painting by Leonardo da Vinci in a private collection: The Savior of the World
Price:$400 000 000
Years of writing: 1499 — 1507.
Where is: private collection.
Materials: oil painting on the board.
Dimensions: 66 x 47 cm.
At a Christie's auction in November 2017, the painting fetched an impressive $400 million. Now it is stored in private collection one of the Saudi princes and, possibly, will be exhibited in the Louvre branch in this country.
Italy gave the world many famous names of artists, sculptors, musicians, but perhaps the most famous person was and still is Leonardo da Vinci. You can talk about the great master for an infinitely long time. We will touch on only one facet of his talent - painting - and talk about the great paintings of Leonardo da Vinci, which can be seen in museums and galleries in his homeland, Italy.
Since Leonardo himself considered himself, first of all, a scientist and engineer, his artistic heritage not so big. He left behind about 20 famous paintings and about the same number of drawings. To date, in the homeland of Leonardo, in Italy, 15 paintings and sketches have been preserved, which can be seen in Milan and Florence, where Leonardo da Vinci lived and worked, as well as in Rome, Venice, Turin and Parma.
Paintings by Leonardo da Vinci in Milan
The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci
Painting by Leonardo da Vinci "Last Supper" along with the "Mona Lisa" - one of the most famous works great master. This huge fresco adorns the wall of the refectory of the monastery of Santa Maria del Grazie in Milan. We have already written about her several times.
"Last Supper"
The traditional biblical story of the last supper of Jesus Christ with his disciples is striking in the authenticity of the images. It is known that the Savior and Judas were most difficult for the author. There is a legend that Leonardo took the image of the same person as the basis for these two characters. different periods his life.
Striking in the picture and deep perspective. The painting "The Last Supper" by Leonardo da Vinci was the first work in the history of painting, where the perspective is so organically and clearly expressed, combining space and drawing into a single whole.
Unfortunately, one gets the impression that Leonardo himself did not really want this masterpiece to be seen by his descendants. The technique of execution of the painting led to the fact that even before its completion, the colors had already begun to collapse. Until now, scientists and researchers are looking for a way to save the priceless canvas, but so far to no avail.
Due to the fact that da Vinci's painting "The Last Supper" is not in a satisfactory condition, visitors' access to it is strictly limited. 25 people can be in the refectory at the same time for no more than 15 minutes. Therefore, if you plan to see the master's masterpiece, take care to buy tickets in advance. How to do it Blogoitaliano.
Paintings by da Vinci in the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana
The Pinacoteca Ambrosiana is the second museum in Milan where you can see the paintings of Leonardo da Vinci.
"Portrait of a Musician"
The first one is "Portrait of a Musician". Leonardo da Vinci started writing it in the early 90s. XV century, but never completed. The picture acquired its final form and was slightly altered much later by the master's followers.
For many years it was believed that the painting depicts Lodovico Sforza, the Duke of Milan, the fiance of Beatrice d'Este, but at the beginning of the 20th century. when the upper layer of paint was partially removed and it was possible to make out the signatures on the sheet of paper of the young man. These were the words and notes of the Angelic Song. The discovery led to the conclusion that the portrait depicts a musician, most likely the director of the choir of the Milan Cathedral, Frankino Gafuri. However, to date, the authenticity of this version has not been proven and reflections on the personality continue.
"Portrait of Beatrice d" Este "
The second painting by Leonardo da Vinci in the Pinakothek Ambrosiana is "Portrait of Beatrice d'Este". The picture, as well as "Portrait of a Musician" was written at the same time and was not finished by da Vinci himself. The finishing touches belong to his student Giovanni Amborgio de Predis.
Beatrice d'Este is one of the most beautiful princesses of the Renaissance in Italy. She was personally acquainted with Leonardo da Vinci, and the master was even appointed the organizer of the wedding of Beatrice with the Duke of Milan, Lodovico Sforza.
"Portrait of a Musician" and "Portrait of Beatrice d'Este" for a long time considered paired and placed opposite each other.
Atlantic Codex by Leonardo da Vinci
Next to the Pinakothek there is the Ambrosinana library, where another da Vinci treasure has been preserved -. 12 notebooks, 1119 sheets of priceless manuscripts with drawings, graphs, drawings, sketches of famous paintings and frescoes, including the Battle of Angyari and Leda and the Swan that have not survived to this day.
It is not so easy to visit the Pinakothek and the Ambrosian Library. The excitement around the Codex Atlanticus has not abated to this day, and you can meet an impressive queue at the museum's ticket office. Great option– prepare for your trip in advance and book tickets to the Pinakothek online at SelectItaly.
Da Vinci paintings in Florence
Florence, along with Milan, is inextricably linked with the life of Leonardo da Vinci. It was here that he spent his childhood and youth, here he comprehended the wisdom of science and made his first attempts at writing. It is in Florence that you can see the early paintings of Leonardo da Vinci, including those that he painted while still a student of Andrea del Verrocchio. All of them are kept in the Uffizi Gallery.
Verrocchio taught his students by living example, letting them paint parts of his paintings. So even the young Leonardo was instructed to depict one of the angels who holds the robe in the picture of the teacher "Baptism of Christ". Leonardo completed the task so well that Andrea del Verrocchio then abandoned painting forever.
In the picture of his teacher "The Baptism of Christ" Leonardo da Vinci depicted an angel holding robes
Attention to detail, blurring of lines and his own vision of the plot - this is what distinguished the paintings of Leonardo da Vinci from his youth. Already from the first works it became clear that Leonardo created new trends in traditional painting. His works did not have clear lines, as before, the objects depicted in the picture, thanks to the play of light and shadow, seemed to dissolve in the surrounding landscape, creating more realistic compositions.
"The Annunciation" - one of the early paintings of Leonardo
Studying with Verrocchio, Leonardo wrote another of his famous works - "Annunciation". In the biblical story, characteristic of the Renaissance, the young master made his own adjustments. He moved the whole gospel action from Mary's house to the terrace, paying special attention to drawing the landscape in the background.
"The Adoration of the Magi" features an atypical presentation of the plot
Another controversial painting by da Vinci "Adoration of the Magi". She, like many masterpieces of the master, remained unfinished, due to the fact that a year after the start of work, Leonardo left for Milan. The palace, horsemen in the background, a large crowd of people around Mary are completely uncharacteristic of biblical story. There are no more analogues of a masterpiece in Italian painting. There is an opinion that among those assembled, Leonardo portrayed himself at the age of 29 (the young man on the right).
From early works The Uffizi Gallery also houses two famous drawings by Leonardo - "Landscape of Arno" and a sketch for a painting "Adoration of Mary".
A copy of the painting by Leonardo da Vinci "Leda and the Swan" in the Uffizi Gallery
There is another one in the Uffizi Gallery interesting picture "Leda and the Swan". Unfortunately, original picture Leonardo da Vinci has not survived to this day. Last time the creation of the master was seen in the XVIII century in the Palace of Fontainebleau. However, sketches remained, according to which his followers created several copies. One is currently kept in the Uffizi Gallery, the second -.
Uffizi Gallery – popular museum Florence. About how to get here and where.
Legacy of Leonardo da Vinci in Rome
In the capital of Italy, only one painting of the great Leonardo da Vinci has been preserved - "Saint Jerome". It can be seen in the Vatican Pinakothek.
"Saint Jerome in the Wilderness"
Saint Jerome is another of Leonardo's early works. He wrote it back in Florence, studying with Andrea Verrocchio, commissioned by the papal church, but, like the Adoration of the Magi, he did not complete it on the occasion of his departure to Milan. Subsequently, the painting was badly damaged, cut and sawn into two pieces, one of which was used as a countertop in a grocery store. The scattered parts were collected by the Archbishop of Lyon, Cardinal Joseph Fesch, and after his death, Pope Pius IX bought St. Jerome for the collection of the Vatican Pinakothek.
For those interested in Leonardo's engineering inventions, we also recommend visiting the Leonardo da Vinci Museum in Rome. You can visit it both independently and.
Other paintings by Leonardo da Vinci in Italy
Unfortunately, no more da Vinci paintings can be found in Italy, but a few drawings and sketches can be found.
"Vitruvian Man" by Leonardo da Vinci
The most famous of them is "Vitruvian Man" with explanations from the master canonical proportions of the human body, kept in the Accademia Gallery in Venice, two female portrait made in pencil can be found in National Gallery of Parma and in the collection of the Royal Library of Turin.
Self-portrait of Leonardo da Vinci
And finally self-portrait of Leonardo da Vinci, which caused much controversy, is also located in the Royal Library of Turin. Not all experts believe that the person depicted in the portrait is Leonardo, however, fans of his work often turn a blind eye to research, believing that the great master and famous artist looked exactly like this: a wise old man, with a sad look ...
Want to see the masterpieces of Leonardo da Vinci? Then you should definitely visit the homeland of the great master, in Italy. Well, to make your vacation budget-friendly and truly comfortable, we recommend useful secrets about traveling in Italy. The course was created by real experts in the country and will allow you to see what 95% of Italian tourists miss.
Leonardo found world fame, thanks to the comprehensive developed intellect. This unique person made several discoveries in the field of medicine, science, engineering, which changed the world.
And although the genius himself considered himself a scientist, and painting was just a hobby, his descendants put his contribution to art on the same level with other merits, because the artist’s paintings are truly masterpieces. However, see for yourself the photos of the original paintings posted on this page in good quality with an increase in significant areas and with a description of each masterpiece of the artist.
The name of the canvas, written in 1503-1505, is translated as "Portrait of Mrs. Lisa Gioconda."
The identity of the woman depicted remains a mystery to this day, although plausible version, she is the wife of a silk merchant with whom da Vinci was friends in Florence.
Mona Lisa is a girl in dark robes, half turned to the viewer. Every detail of the image is spelled out in incredible detail, and the slight smile that touches her lips is a pleasant surprise. The portrait is considered one of the best in its genre and conveys the most sublime thoughts. Italian Renaissance. On this moment he adorns the Louvre in Paris.
Painting by Da Vinci titled "The Isleworth Mona Lisa"
A portrait of the same Mrs. Liza, but differing in the background, the presence of columns and less careful drawing of details. There is controversy regarding the time of its writing.
Some historians claim that this is a late version of the Mona Lisa, while others are sure that this is its first version.
The painting was sold to the collector Blaker, who placed it in own studio located in Isleworth, West London. This area gave the “name” to the legendary portrait.
Artwork - "Madonna Litta"
Litta is a Milanese family that kept the Madonna along with other paintings in their collection throughout the 19th century. Today the painting belongs State Hermitage. It was painted in 1490-1491 and depicts a woman nursing a baby.
The girl's gaze, thoughtful and full of tenderness, is fixed on the child. The baby, on the other hand, looks at the viewer, holding the mother's breast with one hand and holding the goldfinch in the other.
"Madonna Benois"
The painting was painted in 1478-1480 and is not completed. Today it belongs to the Imperial Hermitage.
Da Vinci placed the Madonna and baby Jesus in a semi-dark room illuminated by light from an open window.
A special play of light and forms is felt in the work. The girl smiles sincerely, and the well-fed, serious kid looks with enthusiasm at the cruciferous flower.
"Madonna in the Rocks"
Under this name, there are two almost identical paintings. The Louvre has a version painted around 1483-1486, and the National Gallery of London has a version created a little later.
The canvas depicts the Virgin Mary, John the Baptist, an angel and baby Jesus. In general, it has a peaceful atmosphere, saturated with tenderness. sheer cliffs, which are landscape backgrounds, create an exclusive contrast.
"Madonna and Child with Saint Anne"
This painting is often confused with da Vinci's Saint Anne with the Madonna and the Christ Child. "Madonna and Child with Saint Anne" belongs to the brush German artist Albrecht Durer. It was written in 1519 and has nothing to do with the world famous genius.
"Madonna with a Carnation"
The painting was not known until 1889, when it ended up in the Alte Pinakothek museum.
It depicts a calm Madonna with the baby Jesus in her arms, who looks at the child with undisguised tenderness. The child is active, he seems to be playing, stretching out his hands to an invisible butterfly.
"Saint Anne with the Madonna and the Christ Child" unfinished painting
This unfinished masterpiece is today in the Louvre in Paris. To create it, da Vinci used a story known in Italy, in which the Madonna is on her mother Anna's lap, holding her own son Jesus in her arms.
The effect is called mise en abyme. The estimated date of writing is 1508-1510.
"Lady with an Ermine"
The painting, created in 1489-1490, is kept in Poland. It is believed that the portrait depicts Cecilia Gallerani, the mistress of Lodovico Sforza, the Duke of Milan.
The girl is written in detail and realistically. The presence of ermine has many versions. According to the most common, this animal symbolizes purity and chastity. It is placed on the picture to convey these features of Cecilia, to point out her extramarital relationship with the duke, which does not tarnish the reputation of the beauty, but is a manifestation of sincere love.
"Ginevra de Benci" - artistic depiction of the poetess
She was a famous poetess and Platonic lover of Bernardo Bembo, who, according to historians, is the commissioner of the portrait.
Da Vinci worked on it from 1474 to 1476.
The girl on the canvas is not smiling, she is thoughtful and calm, dressed in a simple dress without frills. She is only adorned with a scarf and a small pearl around her neck. The painting is currently on display at the Washington National Gallery of Art.
"Ginevra de Benci" (reverse)
On the back of the portrait of Ginevra de Benci, an emblem is drawn by Leonardo da Vinci: a vertical branch of a juniper framed by a wreath of laurel and palm branches, which are intertwined with a ribbon with Latin phrase: Virtutem forma decorat.
In translation, the saying sounds no less luxurious: "Beauty is the adornment of virtue."
The palm branch and laurel represent virtue, and the juniper represents the poetic component. The background imitates a porphyry slab, symbolizing rare and unchanging perfection.
"Leda and the Swan" - a copy of the artist's painting
This painting is now lost, but copies of it, written by other artists, preliminary sketches by da Vinci, references in historical documents. The estimated time of writing is 1508.
The canvas depicted Leda standing in full height and hugging the neck of a swan. The girl looked at the children playing in the grass. Judging by the shell lying nearby, the babies were born from large eggs.
"Isabella d'Este"
Isabella d'Este is called the "prima donna of the Renaissance."
She was a great connoisseur of art and one of the famous girls Italy. Isabella was friends with da Vinci and repeatedly asked to create her portrait, but the genius took it up only once.
Alas, after creating a sketch with a pencil, which the artist completed in 1499, he abandoned his creation.
"The Baptism of Christ" - painting by da Vinci and Andrei Verrocchio
This painting was painted by da Vinci in collaboration with his teacher Andrea Verrocchio in 1475.
It was commissioned by the Benedictine monastery of the Vallombrosians of San Salvia, who kept the painting until 1530, after which he handed it over to the Florentine Uffizi Gallery.
Fragment of the painting "The Baptism of Christ" - a personal work of Leonardo
Connoisseurs of da Vinci's work can enjoy a fragment of the Baptism of Christ, made personally by Leonardo.
Part of the picture depicts individual elements of the landscape and two angels - the one on the left is the work of a genius. According to legend, Verrocchio was so impressed by the skill of the student that he abandoned the art, considering himself unworthy of it.
"Adoration of the Magi"
The painting was commissioned by the Augustinian monks from the monastery of San Donato in 1481, but was not completed due to the fact that the artist had to leave for Milan. To date, the work is stored in the Uffizi Gallery.
In the background you can see the ruins of a palace or, presumably, a pagan temple, riders on horseback, rocks. In the center of the canvas is Mary with the newborn Jesus. She was surrounded by pilgrims wishing to bow to the son of God.
Historians believe that da Vinci wrote the extreme guy on the right from his nature.
"John the Baptist"
Painting in classical style, which differs from others in the absence of a landscape and a dull background, was created in 1514-1516. Today it can be seen in the Louvre in Paris.
The figure of John the Baptist is equipped with traditional symbols:
- thin reed cross;
- woolen clothes;
- long hair.
The raised finger of the right hand is also a traditional gesture that often appears in da Vinci paintings. Perhaps in this way the artist wanted to convey something important. The image of John is tender, he has a soft smile and an amazing look, as if penetrating into the soul of the viewer.
"Saint Jerome" - an unfinished painting by the author
The canvas was ordered by the church authorities of Florence in 1481, but da Vinci had to leave for Milan, so it was not completed. The state in which it has reached our time is critical - it was collected almost piece by piece, so it is stored in the Vatican Pinakothek under careful and careful supervision.
The sketch shows Saint Jerome, whose posture indicates that the man is penitent. A lion is resting nearby - the eternal companion of Jerome.
Titled "The Last Supper"
The painting was commissioned by Duke Lodovico Sforza and his wife Beatrice d'Este in 1495. The painting depicting the scene of the last meal of Christ with his disciples was completed in 1498. The Sforza family coat of arms can be seen on the lunettes formed by the three-arched ceiling. Today, the work is kept in the monastery of Milan.
"Annunciation" - an angelic work of the artist
Leonardo da Vinci wrote this canvas in 1475. The plot was chosen part of the Gospel, which tells about the proclamation of the future birth of the Savior.
The winged archangel Gabriel kneels, holding in his left hand a white lily, personifying purity. With his right hand he blesses Mary. Near the girl stands a marble stand, decorated with a relief, on which lies the Bible. The work is on display at the Uffizi Museum.
"Annunciation - landscape"
The landscape of the Annunciation, located in the background of the picture, is worth special attention. Leonardo da Vinci placed on it a river receding into the distance with visible masts of ships, carved silhouettes of trees, walls and towers of a port city, which is shrouded in a pale haze of a mountain top.
"Musician"
This portrait was rewritten by the great Italian artist almost beyond recognition in 1490-1492. He then left his work unfinished. Today, the painting is kept in the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana, Milan.
In the 19th century, it was generally accepted that the canvas depicted Duke Lodovico Sforzo. But in XX, during restoration work, it was possible to make out the words on the paper that the depicted guy is holding in his hands. They turned out to be the initial letters of the words Cantum Angelicum, which in translation sounds like “angelic song”. Notes are shown next to it. Thanks to this discovery, they began to look at the work differently, giving it the appropriate name.
Leonardo da Vinci's last painting on display at the Louvre
In front of you in the photo is the latest creation of Leonardo - "Saint Anna and Mary with the baby." The painter worked on this painting for 20 years. It is currently exhibited in the Louvre.
Continuation of the exposure. . .
Leonardo di ser Piero da Vinci is one of the greatest scientists, artists and inventors in the history of mankind. He is called the most prominent representative of the High Renaissance.
Turin self-portrait
Without a doubt, Leonardo da Vinci is the most famous artist in the world. During his life, Leonardo da Vinci painted many paintings, but about 20 canvases have survived to this day. And all these works of the great master today are rightfully considered masterpieces of world art, which had a significant impact on further development visual arts in the world.
What is the sfumato technique invented by Leonardo worth? Realizing that in real world no lines he argued that there should be no lines in paintings. And he began to shade the outlines of faces and hands, creating soft transitions from light to shadow. The famous "Mona Lisa" is written using the sfumato technique.
Among the huge number of paintings and drawings of the great master, there are world famous ones that almost everyone knows. man of culture. These paintings are even more than masterpieces and standards of great world art. These are original icons of painting.
Here we can recall the Mona Lisa (Gioconda), and The Lady with an Ermine, The Last Supper, Madonna Litta, The Annunciation and many other paintings by the great master of the Renaissance.
Paintings by Leonardo di ser Piero da Vinci (Leonardo di ser Piero da Vinci)
Last Supper
The Last Supper This famous fresco ordered by Duke Ludovico Sforza at the request of his young wife Beatrice d'Este. However, the wife of the great Sforza never saw " Last Supper» completed - she died in childbirth.
And the inconsolable duke was infinitely grateful to da Vinci for the work done - it was a very bright and strong reminder of dead wife. Sforza generously paid off the artist. The townspeople, the inhabitants of Milan, who saw the fresco, were amazed ... The apostles differed in faces, emotions and gestures - no one had painted like that before. Each of the apostles reacted to the words of Christ “One of you will betray me” in his own way. Like living people.
The next feature of the fresco that struck the Milanese was the blue shadows. Not black or grey, but blue. Color shadow - this was not possible in painting until the middle of the nineteenth century, when the impressionists remembered Leonardo's color shadow.
Madonna in the rocks
Madonna in the rocks The painting "Madonna in the Rocks" was ordered from Leonardo da Vinci by the monks of the brotherhood of St. Francis for one of the temples of Milan. But, subsequently, the monks refused to redeem the painting. The artist painted the canvas for too long, there are no halos above the heads of the saints, and the angel also points his finger at John the Baptist, and not at Christ. And Christ is in charge!
Leonardo da Vinci refused to rewrite the painting and sold the finished canvas on the side.
The painting depicts a young virgin Mary in a scarlet cloak with two children - this is the Holy Family with little Jesus returning to Egypt. And along the way they meet little John the Baptist.
For the first time in human history people were depicted not in front of the landscape, but as if inscribed in the landscape, in the rocks. And another one interesting feature of this canvas - the plants in the picture are written with great care. These are real plants. As a botanist, Leonardo argued that sap in plants plays the same role as blood in human veins. Hence such careful work with the flora in the picture.
The monks sued the artist and the court ordered da Vinci to paint a new painting for the temple. With halos and without the pointing finger of an angel.
Madonna of the Rocks (second version) But the second version of the Madonna of the Rocks differs not only in these court-ordered details. Plants have lost their realism. There is an opinion that the artist was not interested in writing a copy - he wrote the most important details canvases, and secondary ones, in particular plants, he entrusted to students who were not strong in botany. And they wrote a fantasy on a plant theme, which suited the monks quite well.
John the Baptist
John the Baptist The canvas “John the Baptist” puzzled Leonardo’s contemporaries - the saint is depicted against a dark, deaf background (the artist usually painted against the backdrop of nature) and the figure of John emerges from this thick darkness, but is this John the Baptist? In those days, artists painted already a very elderly saint, and here he was almost a young man, smiling, and somehow bowing his head in an ambiguous way ... And his hair is so well-groomed ...
And where is the holiness? Some effeminate, frivolous saint in a leopard skin. Such a saint could have appeared in the middle of the 17th century: theatricality of gestures, mannerisms, the play of light and shadow. This saint comes from the Baroque style, which will appear several centuries later.
This is the prophecy of a genius. The same as predicting turbulence 400 years before its discovery by physicists.
Madonna Litta
Madonna Litta The painting "Madonna Litta" depicts a mother and child - the Virgin Mary breastfeeds the baby. The canvas is small, only 42 X 33 centimeters, but this work of Leonardo di ser Piero da Vinci simply breathes monumentality - the master managed to show the Madonna and the baby in such a way that the viewer gets the feeling of being present at some very important event. An event that is not subject to time.
Art critics pay attention to some important details of the picture. This is a bird in the baby's hand, and what is especially important, cutouts for feeding on the dress of the Madonna are sewn up. And one of the cutouts was ripped open. Rasporo is clearly in a hurry. Why and why did the artist show exactly the ripped seam?
Can't it be that before each feeding, the mother tore her dress?
Madonna planned to wean the child from the breast, but could not resist the tears of the child who wanted to eat. And tore the seam.
Why did Leonardo paint the Madonna in this way? Why this drama with the ripped seam?
By the beginning of the 14th century at first noble ladies, and then commoners began to refuse to breastfeed their children. It was then that the fashion for elastic non-nursing breasts appeared. As a scientist, Leonardo could not help but understand that this fashion is to the detriment of the health of the child. And first da Vinci, and then other artists began to deify the image of a nursing mother.
lady with ermine
lady with ermine The painting "Lady with an Ermine" depicts the mistress of the Duke of Milan, Ludovico Sforza. This young woman's name was Cecilia Gallerani.
Cecilia was a sweet and intelligent girl. So clever that she often talked for many hours with Leonardo and the famous sage of the Renaissance found these conversations meaningful and interesting.
Da Vinci painted a very original portrait - in those days, portraits of people were depicted in profile, and the lady in the portrait of the master stands “three-quarters”. Moreover, her head is turned to the other side. As if at that moment someone called Cecilia. Such an original technique showed and emphasized the beauty of the neck and shoulders of a woman, made the image alive.
The presence of an ermine in the picture is also noteworthy. In those days, a cat would have been an exotic animal, and a stoat was a common pet that caught mice in rich houses.
Unfortunately, the painting “Lady with an Ermine” was rewritten several times in subsequent years. by unknown artists. The background of the picture was replaced - before the background was lighter. And there was a window behind the beauty's left shoulder. For some unknown reason, the two lower fingers on the left hand of Cecilia were rewritten. And now the fingers are unnaturally twisted.
Mona Lisa or Mona Lisa
Mona Lisa (La Gioconda) According to the official version, the painting depicts the wife of a Florentine silk merchant, Lisa Gherardini. However, this version is now actively refuted by experts.
There is an assumption that the painting is the mistress of the Duke of Florence, Giuliano de' Medici. This woman bore the Duke a son and soon died. And Giuliano commissioned a portrait for his little son- the deceased mother was supposed to be depicted in the image of the Madonna.
Da Vinci painted a posthumous portrait from the words of the Duke. And since he painted the image, he endowed this image with the features of one of his students named Salai (for this reason, many critics note some similarities between the Mona Lisa (Jakoda) and John the Baptist.
Da Vinci, when writing this portrait, made the most of the sfumato method and this “shading” made the image very lively. One gets the feeling that the Mona Lisa is breathing, her lips are moving subtly and the next moment they will open ... In reproductions, this unsteadiness and this feeling of hidden movement is often difficult to see. But the original amazes everyone who saw it.
The painting was never handed over to the customer, who died in 1516. The artist left for France and took the painting with him, and worked on this image until the last day of his life.
More paintings by Leonardo da Vinci
Annunciation 
Vitruvian Man 
Horse Leonardo 
Madonna with a spindle 
Leda and the Swan 
Madonna Benois (Madonna with a flower) 
Leda 
La Bell Ferronière 
Bacchus 
Madonna with a carnation 
Portrait of Ginevra de Benci 
Madonna with pomegranate 
Adoration of the Magi 
Portrait of a musician 
Baptism
