They have delighted humanity for five hundred years.
It is known that the artist worked at the request of the ruling elite or the church and for a very long time. There were cases when the customer could not wait any longer and gave the job to someone else.
The artist created no more than three dozen paintings, some of them are lost. Those that have come down to us are priceless cultural heritage and belong to the golden fund of Renaissance art. Leonardo became the pearl of that era, for the first time demonstrating the unique sfumato technique, which was used by his followers: Raphael, Michelangelo and other great names.
His last work, “John the Baptist,” was written by him at the age of 65, three years before his death, in a castle graciously provided to the Italian by the French king. This is where we begin our acquaintance with da Vinci’s masterpieces.
The most best paintings Leonardo da Vinci: description and photo.
John the Baptist (1514-1516)
“John the Baptist” - painting by Leonardo da Vinci.
The artist began painting in Rome and finished it in France. Since then, it has not left this country, passed from king to king, and is now kept in the Louvre.
The painting, measuring 69 by 57 cm, aroused discontent among the clergy and was criticized for its feminine likeness, the playful smile of the saint and the too dark background surrounding the bright face. It is believed that the image was copied from Salai’s student, with whom the artist had a long-term relationship, possibly of an intimate nature.
The work is interpreted differently, there is no consensus, but it is known for sure that the artist often used this gesture in his works, and later it was copied by others, including Raphael.
The painting is considered the second most mysterious after La Gioconda.
Mona Lisa (1503-1519)
“Mona Lisa”, also known as “La Gioconda”, is a painting by Leonardo da Vinci.
The most controversial and famous painting Leonardo da Vinci. It is also in the Louvre, from where it was stolen in 1911. They searched for it unsuccessfully for several years, until the thief made a mistake himself by advertising the sale in the press. All this time he kept it under his mattress.
In addition, there were four attempts on the painting: they poured acid on it, threw a stone and even a mug at it, and they also tried to splatter it with paint.
The work was restored several times, and there is an opinion of experts that the eyebrows disappeared from her face precisely because of this. Many people tried to discuss her smile, writing tons of paper. However, they also broke their spears over who is actually depicted on it: a real woman, the image of the author’s mother, or an encrypted self-portrait.
One thing is certain: in this work the sfumato technique is most pronounced, and thanks to the blurring of the lines, the portrait comes to life. This is especially noticeable if you look at the museum exhibit directly in the Louvre: Gioconda’s smile changes depending on the angle.
It is known for sure that Leonardo da Vinci never parted with this portrait.
By the way, the portrait is insured for $670 million, which allowed it to get into the Guinness Book of Records as the most expensive insured work of art. The painting is hidden behind bulletproof glass in a hall created for it, protected by a security system.
Madonna of the Rocks (1483-1486)
“Madonna of the Rocks” - painting by Leonardo da Vinci.
The Louvre also houses this work by the artist, which he began working on at the age of 30. There is a second version of the work with the same name, which is kept in the London Museum. And if the French are confident in the authorship of Leonardo, then the British had to prove it. The paintings are identical in composition, the execution is slightly different. In addition, the Louvre version is several centimeters higher.
The Holy Family was ordered to the artist by a representative of one of the Milan churches, but it never arrived at the address. Leonardo received the deposit, but raised the final price. The parties did not agree, the painting remained with the artist and went with him to France.
This picture turned out to be the first in the history of painting in which people are placed inside the landscape, and not in front of it. They also note the humanization of the images of Mary, Jesus, John the Baptist and the Angel; before this, artists painted frozen faces of saints. Experts attribute this to the fact that Leonardo himself, although he wrote for the church, was skeptical about religion.
Lady with an ermine (1489-1490)
This is one of four women's portraits, which is kept in a museum in Poland, and the only painting by Da Vinci.
The artist painted a portrait of Cecilia Gallerani, the favorite of the Duke of Milan, at whose court Leonardo spent seventeen years.
In her hands, the ermine is not a strange animal, but a symbol depicted on the duke’s coat of arms. Enthusiastic reviews of that time have been preserved, both about the artist’s skill and about Cecilia.
Examination of the portrait showed that the background had been rewritten several times. The girl's face has also been changed. Whether this is a correction by the author himself - history is silent. Perhaps changes were made after Leonardo's death during the restoration of the painting.
Last Supper (1495-1498)
“The Last Supper” is the work of Leonardo da Vinci.
This fresco is located in Milan (), in the monastery of St. Mary, where Leonardo da Vinci worked on it for three years but never completed it. The Duke of Milan paid Leonardo almost $800 thousand for this order, if we convert two thousand ducats into modern money.
Art critics believe that calling this work a fresco is not entirely correct: it is painted with tempera on a specially prepared layer. Over the years, the work has been restored several times by different masters. And it began to collapse just two decades after it was written. The last time it was put in order was in 1954.
There are a lot of rumors and secrets surrounding the idea of the painting. Dan Brown's book and the film of the same name "The Da Vinci Code" were based on some of them.
"Annunciation" (1475)
“The Annunciation” - painting by Leonardo da Vinci.
Another work commissioned by the church, “The Annunciation,” is kept in Florence in the Uffizi Gallery. Leonardo wrote it as a student.
If you look at it in detail, you are struck by the care with which every centimeter of the picture is painted. Here, for the first time, Maria is wearing a tight-fitting dress that does not hide her figure. And the Angel who brought her the good news has a white lily - a symbol of innocence. The development of perspective is considered an innovation - it is not just a dark or light background, but a piece of a port city, with trees, a river, towers and ship masts.
"Madonna Litta" (1495)
“Madonna Litta” (1490-1491) is a masterpiece by Leonardo da Vinci.
Here, too, the biblical story is full of mysteries. On the one hand, the serenity and tenderness of the nursing Mother of God, on the other hand, torn stitches on the clothes, as if she had not planned to feed the child. It is not clear why the light falls not from the windows, but from somewhere to the left. There are versions that Leonardo painted only the faces of the characters, the rest was completed by his students. Well, the main detail that the author will later bring to perfection in his “La Gioconda” is the smile. If it seems to you that Madonna is smiling, then she is not. Experts say that the optical illusion occurs due to the shadows in the corners of her lips.
Saint Anne with Madonna and Christ Child (1510)
“Saint Anne with the Madonna and Child Christ” is an unfinished work by Leonardo da Vinci.
The painting remained unfinished, although Leonardo returned to it until the last days of his life. He made many sketches where her daughter Mary sits on mother Anna’s lap, holding little Christ. There were several variations of “Anna in Three,” as this work is also called.
The painting was often restored, most recently with scandal. In 2012, after “rejuvenation,” the colors became unnaturally bright, which is why two influential Louvre curators who disagreed with such a barbaric method resigned from the international restoration commission.
And she was also shot. This happened in London's National Gallery. The shooter admitted that in this way he expressed his protest against the policies of Great Britain and Margaret Thatcher personally. The buckshot broke the protective glass, and the drawing itself received several scratches. The vandal received a real prison sentence.
The largest number of paintings is in France in the Louvre and in Italy in the Uffizi Gallery. Two paintings are in Russia, in the Hermitage: these are “Madonna Litta” and “Madonna Benois”. It is believed that 13 paintings by the great artist and thinker have survived, but among them there are those whose authorship is controversial.
Genius name Italian era The revival of Leonardo da Vinci is familiar to everyone, young and old. The scientist, writer, inventor, artist and sculptor left behind many magnificent works of art. Mystics, astrologers, historians and ordinary people look for them hidden signs and meanings have been around for several centuries. We invite you to simply enjoy their splendor.
In front of you outstanding works Renaissance, paintings by Leonardo da Vinci with titles and brief description the stories of their creation, masterpieces that are rightfully considered the best in the gallery of the great master.
"Mona Lisa" (La Gioconda)
Portrait of the wife of a silk merchant from Florence F.D. Giocondo by Lisa Gherardini was painted approximately 1503-1505. Nowadays the painting is considered the most famous not only in the work of Leonardo da Vinci, but in general in world painting of all times and peoples. Biographers of the great master have always written about the place of the canvas in the artist’s work, his attitude towards the portrait and the passion with which he devoted himself to working on it.
Many paintings by Leonardo da Vinci (you can find the names and descriptions of some by reading the article) are shrouded in mysticism. However, La Gioconda has become a real leader in this matter. She was always shrouded in mystery and an aura of enigma. Biographers and art historians have been grappling with many questions about its creation for centuries. In particular, they are discussing whether the model was really the wife of an ordinary merchant. There are versions that Isabella of Aragon, the lover of the master Salai, or even Leonardo da Vinci himself, who thus veiled his self-portrait, could act in this capacity.
Currently, the painting is kept in the Louvre (Paris).
"The Last Supper"
The monumental painting, which da Vinci worked on for three years (1495-1498), is located on the back wall of the refectory of the Dominican monastery of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan. The theme of the painting is quite traditional for this kind of premises.
Fresco in the traditional sense " Last Supper"is not, Leonardo wrote it on dry plaster, not wet plaster. He successively applied stone wall several coatings of resin, gabs and mastic, and then painted it with tempera.
The painting is a separate milestone in the art of the Renaissance. It is distinguished by incredible accuracy and depth of perspective. The master’s technique had a huge impact and literally directed the development of all Western painting in the right direction.
"Madonna Benoit"
When naming the best paintings by Leonardo da Vinci, one cannot help but recall the beautiful Benois Madonna. This early work master (1478-1480), which he supposedly did not complete. It is likely that this painting and “Madonna with a Carnation” became the first independent works of the painter. At that time, Leonardo was 26 years old, he had already left his teacher and workshop.
Admiring the canvas, one cannot help but note da Vinci’s characteristic and already established to a certain extent style, although he still relies on the experience of the Florentines of the 15th century. One of the first independent work The master is distinguished by a new interpretation of the biblical plot, which is defined as an ordinary scene of their life. You see a young mother, dressed and combed in the fashion of those times, playing with her son and handing him a cruciferous flower (a traditional symbol of the crucifixion).
In 1912, the Benois Madonna belonged to private collection court architect Leonty Nikolaevich Benois. At his request, it was evaluated by European antique dealers. However, the architect’s wife wished to leave the painting in Russia and gave it to the Hermitage (where it is now kept) for 150 thousand rubles instead of the specified 500 thousand francs.
Unfinished canvas “San Girolamo”
The painting "Saint Jerome" remained unfinished. Leonardo carried it out on behalf of the church authorities of Florence in early period of his creativity, at the moment when he worked in the workshop of A. Verrocchio. Having departed for Milan in 1482, he left her.
The plot of the picture, as the title suggests, is religious. The viewer sees Saint Jerome repentant. His figure is central, it is expressive and even in its unfinished form allows one to notice the careful elaboration of facial expression and body structure. At the saint's feet lies a lion - his usual companion.
The painting reached us in a rather shabby state. It was cut heavily and then sawed in two; it is assumed that the lower one could serve as a chest lid. All the elements were brought together by Cardinal Fesch. Currently, the painting “Saint Jerome” is kept in the Vatican Pinakothek.
"Annunciation"
Leonardo da Vinci painted the religious painting “The Annunciation” in at a young age, being “under the wing” of his teacher Verrocchio, in 1472-1475. The plot of the canvas refers to the Gospel text, which tells about the announcement of the Virgin Mary by the Archangel Gabriel about the future birth of Jesus Christ.
The composition is simple and in some ways traditional. In the foreground we see a kneeling archangel with a white lily in his left hand and Mary. Horizontal line the background is filled with a vast landscape.
We can say that perspective was not used in the fine arts before the great master, and he himself did not come to this right away, which clearly demonstrates this early work("Annunciation"). Leonardo da Vinci's painting has undergone minor changes. Initially, the archangel's wings were smaller and looked much more harmonious. However, they were completed by an unknown artist and, as a result, became more cumbersome.
The painting has been kept in one of the oldest galleries in Europe, the Uffizi (Florence, Italy), since 1867.
"John the Baptist"
This work belongs to the late period of Leonardo da Vinci's work. The painting was painted in oil on wood, probably between 1514 and 1516. It is believed that, together with “La Gioconda” and “Saint Anne”, he brought her to France in 1516, when he settled in the castle of Cloux. In 1517, he showed all three works to the Cardinal of Aragon, and they were soon purchased by the king. Since then, the paintings have not left the royal collection and were inherited by the Louvre.
The painting “John the Baptist” has a blank background, completely devoid of landscape, so characteristic of works created during the Renaissance, in particular those by Leonardo. The viewer's attention is concentrated on the figure of the saint, who is literally enveloped by the so-called sfumato (softened outline of objects and figures) brought to perfection. This technique was developed by da Vinci himself. The saint is depicted in a traditional manner (attributes, gesture), but at the same time there are signs indicating the transition of Leonardo’s painting from classic style into the mainstream of mannerism. These include the young man’s delicacy, his effeminate smile and gaze, and his curly hair in rings.
Composition and history of the “Adoration of the Magi”
The unfinished painting “The Adoration of the Magi” was commissioned in 1481 by the Augustinian monks from the monastery of San Donato (Scopeto). However, it remained unfinished, since a year after the start of work the master left for Milan. The customers, concerned about his absence for too long, wanting to get the painting as quickly as possible, turned to another artist, Filippino Lipli. Both works are currently kept in the Uffizi Gallery.
The composition that the viewer observes in the painting “Adoration of the Magi” is very unusual and probably has no analogues in Italian painting. In the center you see Mary with the newborn Jesus in her arms, around are pilgrims who came to bow to the Son of God, in the background are the ruins of a castle (some art critics and historians suggest that this is a pagan temple), horsemen and barely visible rocks. It is believed that the young man pictured on the right is da Vinci himself at the age of 29. The author left the foreground free, dedicating it to the viewer.
"Madonna Litta"
World-famous paintings by Leonardo da Vinci, with titles and a short history the creations presented in the article have never been questioned in terms of authorship, which cannot be said about the painting “Madonna Litta”. Some art historians believe that it could well have been written by one of his students. Others cite a sketch of the Madonna's head, which is kept in the Louvre, as evidence of authenticity.
In the center of the plot is a woman with a child in her arms, whom she is breastfeeding. The background is filled with a wall with two arched windows from which light falls on the viewer. Madonna herself seems to be illuminated from within.
Leonardo painted the picture in 1490-1491. for the rulers of Milan. Later the painting passed to the noble aristocratic family of Litta. It was kept in their private collection for several centuries, thanks to which it found its modern name. In 1864, the “Madonna Litta” was acquired by the Hermitage, where it is still on display.
Leonardo da Vinci's paintings, with titles and photos presented above, are undoubtedly the best in the artist's work. These are real pearls not only of his personal gallery of the Renaissance, but of all world painting.
Leonardo di ser Piero da Vinci is one of the greatest scientists, artists and inventors in human history. He is called the most prominent representative of the High Renaissance.
Turin self-portrait
Of course, Leonardo da Vinci is the most famous artist in the world. Leonardo da Vinci painted many paintings during his life, but about 20 paintings have survived to this day. And all these works of the great master today are rightfully considered masterpieces of world painting, which had a significant impact on the further development of fine arts in the world.
What is the value of the sfumato technique invented by Leonardo alone? Having realized 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" was painted using the sfumato technique.
Among huge amount The paintings and drawings of the great master are world famous, which are known to almost every cultured person. These paintings are even more than masterpieces and standards of great world art. These are original icons of painting.
Here you can recall the “Mona Lisa (La Gioconda), and “The Lady with an Ermine,” “The Last Supper,” “Madonna Litta,” “The Annunciation” and many other paintings by the great Renaissance master.
Paintings by Leonardo di ser Piero da Vinci
Last Supper
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 the “Last Supper” completed - she died in childbirth.
And the inconsolable Duke was eternally grateful to da Vinci for the work done - it was a very vivid and strong reminder of deceased wife. Sforza paid the artist generously. The citizens of Milan who saw the fresco were amazed... The apostles had different faces, emotions and gestures - no one had painted like that before. Each of the apostles responded to Christ’s words “One of you will betray me” in his own way. Like real people.
The next feature of the fresco that amazed the Milanese was the blue shadows. Not black or gray, but blue. Colored shadow - this was impossible in painting until the mid-nineteenth century, when the Impressionists remembered Leonardo’s colored shadow.
Madonna of the Rocks
Madonna of the Rocks The painting “Madonna of the Rocks” was commissioned from Leonardo da Vinci by the monks of the Brotherhood of St. Francis for one of the temples in Milan. But subsequently the monks refused to buy the painting. The artist took too long to paint the canvas, 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 painting on the side.
The painting depicts the 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 the people were depicted not in front of the landscape, but as if inscribed in the landscape, in the rocks. And one more interesting feature of this canvas - the plants in the picture are painted with great care. These are real plants. As a botanist, Leonardo argued that the 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 for the temple new picture. 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, blank background (the artist usually painted against the backdrop of nature) and from this thick darkness the figure of John emerges, but is this John the Baptist? In those days, artists painted a very elderly saint, but here he is almost a young man, smiling, and somehow bowed his head ambiguously... And his hair is so well-groomed...
And where is the holiness here? Some kind of effeminate, frivolous saint in leopard skin. Such a saint could have appeared in the mid-17th century: theatrical gestures, mannerisms, play of light and shadow. This saint comes from the Baroque, which would appear several centuries later.
This is the prediction of a genius. The same as the prediction of turbulence 400 years before its discovery by physicists.
Madonna Litta
Madonna Litta The painting “Madonna Litta” depicts a mother and child - the Virgin Mary is breastfeeding the baby. The canvas is small, only 42 X 33 centimeters, but this work by Leonardo di ser Piero da Vinci simply emanates monumentality - the master managed to show the Madonna and Child 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 painting. This is a bird in the baby's hand, and what is especially important is that the nursing cutouts on the Madonna's dress are sewn up. And one of the cutouts was ripped open. The opening is clearly in a hurry. Why and for what purpose did the artist show the ripped seam?
Isn't it possible that the mother rips her dress before each feeding?
Madonna planned to wean the child, but could not resist the tears of the child who wanted to eat. And she tore the seam.
Why did Leonardo paint the Madonna this way? Why this drama with the ripped seam?
By the beginning of the 14th century, 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. Being a scientist, Leonardo could not help but understand that this fashion was detrimental to the health of the child. And first da Vinci, and then other artists, began to deify the image of a nursing mother.
Lady with an ermine
Lady with an 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 smart girl. So smart 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, people were depicted in profile in portraits, and the lady in the master’s portrait stands at “three-quarters.” Moreover, her head is turned in the other direction. As if at that moment someone called Cecilia. Such original technique showed and emphasized the beauty of the woman’s neck and shoulders, making the image come alive.
It is also noteworthy that there is an ermine in the picture. In those days, a cat would have been an exotic animal, and an ermine would have been a common domestic animal that caught mice in rich houses.
Unfortunately, the painting “Lady with an Ermine” was rewritten several times in subsequent years. unknown artists. The background of the picture was replaced - previously the background was lighter. And there was a window behind the beauty’s left shoulder. For some unknown reason, the two lower fingers on Cecilia’s left hand were rewritten. And now the fingers are unnaturally twisted.
Mona Lisa or Gioconda
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 picture shows the mistress of the Florentine Duke Giuliano Medici. This woman gave birth to a son for the Duke and soon died. And Giuliano ordered a portrait for his little son - the late mother was to be depicted in the image of the Madonna.
Da Vinci wrote posthumous portrait according to the Duke. And since he was writing 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” (Jacoda) and “John the Baptist.”
Da Vinci, when painting this portrait, used the sfumato method to the maximum and this “shading” made the image very alive. One gets the feeling that 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 transferred to the customer, who died in 1516. The artist went to France and took the painting with him, and worked on this image until last day of your life.
More paintings by Leonardo da Vinci
Annunciation 
Vitruvian Man 
Leonardo's horse 
Madonna with a spindle 
Leda and the Swan 
Benois Madonna (Madonna with a Flower) 
Leda 
La Bell Ferronier 
Bacchus 
Madonna with carnation 
Portrait of Ginevra de Benci 
Madonna with pomegranate 
Adoration of the Magi 
Portrait of a musician 
Baptism Leonardo di Ser Piero da Vinci - a man of Renaissance art, sculptor, inventor, painter, philosopher, writer, scientist, polymath (universal person).
The future genius was born as a result of a love affair between the noble Piero da Vinci and the girl Katerina (Katarina). According to the social norms of that time, the marriage of these people was impossible due to the low origin of Leonardo’s mother. After the birth of her first child, she was married to a potter, with whom Katerina lived the rest of her life. It is known that she gave birth to four daughters and a son from her husband.
Portrait of Leonardo da Vinci
The first-born Piero da Vinci lived with his mother for three years. Leonardo's father, immediately after his birth, married a rich representative of a noble family, but his legal wife was never able to give him an heir. Three years after the marriage, Pierrot took his son to him and began raising him. Leonardo's stepmother died 10 years later while trying to give birth to an heir. Pierrot remarried, but quickly became a widower again. In total, Leonardo had four stepmothers, as well as 12 paternal half-siblings.
Creativity and inventions of da Vinci
The parent apprenticed Leonardo to the Tuscan master Andrea Verrocchio. During his studies with his mentor, son Pierrot learned not only the art of painting and sculpture. Young Leonardo studied the humanities and engineering, leather craftsmanship, and the basics of working with metal and chemicals. All this knowledge was useful to Da Vinci in life.
Leonardo received confirmation of his qualifications as a master at the age of twenty, after which he continued to work under the supervision of Verrocchio. The young artist was involved in minor work on his teacher’s paintings, for example, he painted background landscapes and clothes minor characters. Leonardo only got his own workshop in 1476.
Drawing "Vitruvian Man" by Leonardo da Vinci In 1482, da Vinci was sent by his patron Lorenzo de' Medici to Milan. During this period, the artist worked on two paintings, which were never completed. In Milan, Duke Lodovico Sforza enrolled Leonardo in the court staff as an engineer. The high-ranking person was interested in defensive devices and devices for entertaining the courtyard. Da Vinci had the opportunity to develop his talent as an architect and his abilities as a mechanic. His inventions turned out to be an order of magnitude better than those proposed by his contemporaries.
The engineer stayed in Milan under Duke Sforza for about seventeen years. During this time, Leonardo painted the paintings “Madonna in the Grotto” and “Lady with an Ermine”, created his most famous drawing “The Vitruvian Man”, made a clay model of the equestrian monument of Francesco Sforza, painted the wall of the refectory of the Dominican monastery with the composition “The Last Supper”, made a number of anatomical sketches and drawings of devices.
Leonardo's engineering talent also came in handy after his return to Florence in 1499. He entered the service of Duke Cesare Borgia, who relied on Da Vinci's ability to create military mechanisms. The engineer worked in Florence for about seven years, after which he returned to Milan. By that time, he had already completed work on his most famous painting, which is now kept in the Louvre Museum.
The master's second Milanese period lasted six years, after which he left for Rome. In 1516 Leonardo went to France, where he spent his recent years. On the journey, the master took with him Francesco Melzi, a student and main heir artistic style da Vinci.
Portrait of Francesco Melzi Despite the fact that Leonardo spent only four years in Rome, it is in this city that there is a museum named after him. In three halls of the institution you can get acquainted with devices built according to Leonardo’s drawings, examine copies of paintings, photos of diaries and manuscripts.
Most of The Italian dedicated his life to engineering and architectural projects. His inventions were both military and peaceful in nature. Leonardo is known as the developer of prototypes of a tank, an aircraft, a self-propelled carriage, a searchlight, a catapult, a bicycle, a parachute, a mobile bridge, and a machine gun. Some of the inventor's drawings still remain a mystery to researchers.
Drawings and sketches of some of Leonardo da Vinci's inventions In 2009, the Discovery TV channel aired the series of films “Da Vinci Apparatus.” Each of the ten episodes of the documentary series was devoted to the construction and testing of mechanisms based on Leonardo's original drawings. The film's technicians tried to recreate the inventions Italian genius using materials from his era.
Personal life
The master's personal life was kept in the strictest confidence. Leonardo used a code for entries in his diaries, but even after deciphering, researchers received little reliable information. There is a version that the reason for secrecy was da Vinci’s unconventional orientation.
The basis of the theory that the artist loved men was the guesswork of researchers based on indirect facts. At a young age, the artist was involved in a case of sodomy, but it is not known for certain in what capacity. After this incident, the master became very secretive and stingy with comments about his personal life.
Leonardo's possible lovers include some of his students, the most famous of whom is Salai. The young man was endowed with an effeminate appearance and became a model for several paintings by da Vinci. John the Baptist is one of Leonardo's surviving works for which Szalai sat.
There is a version that the “Mona Lisa” was also painted from this sitter, dressed in a woman’s dress. It should be noted that there is some physical similarity between the people depicted in the paintings “Mona Lisa” and “John the Baptist”. The fact remains that da Vinci bequeathed his artistic masterpiece namely Salai.
Historians also include Francesco Melzi among Leonardo's possible lovers.
There is another version of the secret of the Italian’s personal life. It is believed that Leonardo had a romantic relationship with Cecilia Gallerani, who is supposedly depicted in the portrait “Lady with an Ermine”. This woman was the favorite of the Duke of Milan, holder literary salon, patroness of the arts. She introduced the young artist to the circle of Milanese bohemia.
Fragment of the painting “Lady with an Ermine” Among Da Vinci's notes was found a draft of a letter addressed to Cecilia, which began with the words: “My beloved goddess...”. Researchers suggest that the portrait “Lady with an Ermine” was painted with clear signs of unspent feelings for the woman depicted in it.
Some researchers believe that great Italian I didn’t know carnal love at all. He was not attracted to men or women in a physical sense. In the context of this theory, it is assumed that Leonardo led the life of a monk who did not give birth to descendants, but left a great legacy.
Death and grave
Modern researchers have concluded that the probable cause of the artist’s death was a stroke. Da Vinci died at the age of 67 in 1519. Thanks to the memoirs of his contemporaries, it is known that by that time the artist was already suffering from partial paralysis. Leonardo couldn't move right hand, as researchers believe, due to a stroke suffered in 1517.
Despite the paralysis, the master continued to be active creative life, resorting to the help of student Francesco Melzi. Da Vinci's health deteriorated, and by the end of 1519 it was already difficult for him to walk without assistance. This evidence is consistent with the theoretical diagnosis. Scientists believe that a repeated attack of cerebrovascular accident in 1519 ended life path famous Italian.
Monument to Leonardo da Vinci in Milan, Italy At the time of his death, the master was in the castle of Clos-Lucé near the city of Amboise, where he lived for the last three years of his life. In accordance with Leonardo's will, his body was buried in the gallery of the Church of Saint-Florentin.
Unfortunately, the master's grave was destroyed during the Huguenot wars. The church in which the Italian was buried was looted, after which it fell into severe neglect and was demolished by the new owner of the Amboise castle, Roger Ducos, in 1807.
After the destruction of the Saint-Florentin chapel, the remains from many burials over the years were mixed and buried in the garden. Since the mid-nineteenth century, researchers have made several attempts to identify the bones of Leonardo da Vinci. Innovators in this matter were guided by the lifetime description of the master and selected the most suitable fragments from the found remains. They were studied for some time. The work was led by archaeologist Arsen Housse. He also found fragments of a tombstone, presumably from da Vinci's grave, and a skeleton in which some fragments were missing. These bones were reburied in the reconstructed artist's tomb in the Chapel of Saint-Hubert on the grounds of the Castle of Amboise.
In 2010, a team of researchers led by Silvano Vinceti was going to exhume the remains of the Renaissance master. It was planned to identify the skeleton using genetic material taken from the burials of Leonardo's paternal relatives. Italian researchers were unable to obtain permission from the castle owners to carry out the necessary work.
On the site where the Church of Saint-Florentin used to be located, at the beginning of the last century a granite monument was erected, marking the four hundredth anniversary of the death of the famous Italian. The engineer's reconstructed grave and stone monument with his bust are among the most popular attractions in Amboise.
The secrets of da Vinci's paintings
Leonardo's work has occupied the minds of art critics, religious researchers, historians and ordinary people for more than four hundred years. The works of the Italian artist have become an inspiration for people of science and creativity. There are many theories that reveal the secrets of da Vinci's paintings. The most famous of them says that when writing his masterpieces, Leonardo used a special graphic code.
Using a device of several mirrors, researchers were able to find out that the secret of the looks of the heroes from the paintings “Mona Lisa” and “John the Baptist” lies in the fact that they are looking at a creature in a mask, reminiscent of an alien. The secret code in Leonardo's notes was also deciphered using an ordinary mirror.
Hoaxes surrounding the work of the Italian genius have led to the emergence of a number of works of art, authored by the writer. His novels became bestsellers. In 2006, the film “The Da Vinci Code” was released, based on Brown’s work of the same name. The film was met with a wave of criticism from religious organizations, but set box office records in its first month of release.
Lost and unfinished works
Not all of the master’s works have survived to this day. The works that have not survived include: a shield with a painting in the form of the head of Medusa, a sculpture of a horse for the Duke of Milan, a portrait of the Madonna with a spindle, the painting “Leda and the Swan” and the fresco “The Battle of Anghiari”.
Modern researchers know about some of the master’s paintings thanks to surviving copies and memoirs of da Vinci’s contemporaries. For example, the fate of the original work “Leda and the Swan” is still unknown. Historians believe that the painting may have been destroyed in the mid-seventeenth century on the orders of the Marquise de Maintenon, wife of Louis XIV. Sketches made by Leonardo's hand and several copies of the canvas made by Leonardo have survived to this day. by different artists.
The painting depicted a young naked woman in the arms of a swan, with babies hatched from huge eggs playing at her feet. When creating this masterpiece, the artist was inspired by a famous mythical plot. It is interesting that the painting based on the story of Leda’s copulation with Zeus, who took the form of a swan, was painted not only by da Vinci.
Leonardo's lifetime rival also painted a painting dedicated to this ancient myth. Buonarotti's painting suffered the same fate as da Vinci's work. Paintings by Leonardo and Michelangelo simultaneously disappeared from the collection of the French royal house.
Among the unfinished works of the brilliant Italian, the painting “Adoration of the Magi” stands out. The canvas was commissioned by the Augustinian monks in 1841, but remained unfinished due to the master’s departure to Milan. The customers found another artist, and Leonardo saw no point in continuing to work on the painting.
Fragment of the painting “Adoration of the Magi” Researchers believe that the composition of the canvas has no analogues in Italian painting. The painting depicts Mary with the newborn Jesus and the Magi, and behind the pilgrims are horse riders and ruins pagan temple. There is an assumption that Leonardo depicted himself at the age of 29 among the men who came to the son of God.
- In 2009, researcher of religious mysteries Lynn Picknett published the book “Leonardo da Vinci and the Brotherhood of Zion,” naming the famous Italian one of the masters of a secret religious order.
- It is believed that da Vinci was a vegetarian. He wore clothes made of linen, neglecting outfits made of leather and natural silk.
- A group of researchers plans to isolate Leonardo's DNA from the master's surviving personal belongings. Historians also claim to be close to finding da Vinci's maternal relatives.
- The Renaissance was the time when noble women in Italy were addressed with the words “my lady”, in Italian - “ma donna”. IN colloquial speech the expression was shortened to "monna". This means that the title of the painting “Mona Lisa” can be literally translated as “Lady Lisa”.
- Rafael Santi called da Vinci his teacher. He visited Leonardo's studio in Florence and tried to adopt some features of his artistic style. Raphael Santi also called Michelangelo Buonarroti his teacher. The three artists mentioned are considered the main geniuses of the Renaissance.
- Australian enthusiasts have created the largest traveling exhibition of the great architect's inventions. The exhibition was developed with the participation of the Leonardo da Vinci Museum in Italy. The exhibition has already visited six continents. During its operation, five million visitors were able to see and touch the works of the most famous engineer of the Renaissance.
