Portrait of Da Vinci. Great masterpieces of Da Vinci

At the age of 14, he began to study art in Verrocchio's workshop, and just five years later he himself was already called a real master. Recognized genius Renaissance Leonardo da Vinci was not only talented artist. He perfectly mastered playing the lyre, and many said that the young man also learned painting from himself.

Leonardo da Vinci had a gift for which the name “divination” fits perfectly. He left mysterious and brilliant ideas to his descendants, made discoveries in many existing sciences, and da Vinci’s sketches and paintings became a kind of proof of the artist’s unique genius. The scope of his talents was truly limitless: arch bridge designs, wetland drainage systems, weaving looms, textile machines and even powerful cranes, the creation of which no one could have previously imagined.

Not only unique inventions, but also Da Vinci’s paintings, which still amaze the most sophisticated art lovers, cause great resonance.

The painting of the greatest master seems incredible, and da Vinci’s painting “Portrait of Himself in Old Age” is considered one of the artist’s “unearthly” works. According to experts, Leonardo da Vinci created this painting around 1512, when he was 60 years old. To see the masterpiece with your own eyes, you will have to visit Royal Library Turin.

Peculiarity mysterious work consists in the fact that the viewer looks at the same person, whose expression and facial features change depending on the angle of observation. The hero of the self-portrait looks like a determined old man, an arrogant and arrogant old man, or a frightened, decrepit and weak old man.

Gained worldwide fame mysterious picture da Vinci, aka “Mona Lisa”, aka “La Gioconda”. The sly smile and omnipresent gaze of the girl in the portrait haunted various researchers for several centuries. Just as the model’s personality did not leave her alone. But the classic version says that Leonardo da Vinci portrayed the wife of a silk merchant from Florence, Lisa Ghirardini.

Da Vinci’s paintings such as “Madonna with a Flower” and “Madonna with a Flower”, which the artist dedicated to one of the main events of the “New Testament,” became no less popular. But Leonardo da Vinci has works that are familiar only to a few of the most devoted fans of his work.

In Windsor there is a canvas on which the master depicted a certain mysterious creature of unearthly origin. Over time, this painting by da Vinci has suffered significantly, but the widely spaced, huge eyes of the creature painted on it remain visible. They make a literally paralyzing impression on all viewers, but the opinions of experts about who is depicted on the canvas do not coincide. Some of them believe that Leonardo da Vinci depicted the image of Beatrice, so dearly loved by Dante. At the same time, others are firmly convinced: earthly woman anatomically cannot have such facial features.

There was a certain period in the artist’s life when he temporarily abandoned art, giving preference to science. Fra Novellara, Leonardo da Vinci's closest friend, noted that mathematics studies alienated the master from painting so much that just the sight of a brush could drive him into a rage.

But this did not last long, and Leonardo da Vinci created several more world-famous paintings and painted the Florentine hall Great Council at Palazzo Vecchio. Unfortunately, this painting began to collapse even while the artist was still working on it. And to this day, only a few sketches and sketches remain of it, on which the legendary da Vinci worked.

It was often said about the brilliant artist that he was a messenger of the future or an “alien” who came to us from a more developed extraterrestrial civilization. And the legendary paintings of Leonardo da Vinci make you believe it, don’t they?

Leonardo da Vinci was born on April 15, 1452 in the small village of Anchiano LU, located near the town of Vinci FI. He was the illegitimate son of a wealthy notary, Piero da Vinci, and a beautiful village woman, Katarina. Soon after this event, the notary entered into marriage with the girl noble birth. They had no children, and Piero and his wife took their three-year-old child with them.

The Birth of an Artist

The brief time of childhood in the village is over. Notary Piero moved to Florence, where he apprenticed his son to Andrea del Veroccio, a famous Tuscan master. There, in addition to painting and sculpture, future artist got the opportunity to study the basics of mathematics and mechanics, anatomy, working with metals and plaster, and methods of leather dressing. The young man greedily absorbed knowledge and later used it widely in his activities.

Interesting creative biography The maestro was written by his contemporary Giorgio Vasari. In Vasari's book "Life of Leonardo" there is Short story about how (Andrea del Verrocchio) attracted a student to carry out the order “The Baptism of Christ” (Battesimo di Cristo).

The angel painted by Leonardo so clearly demonstrated his superiority over his teacher that the latter threw down his brush in frustration and never painted again.

The qualification of a master was awarded to him by the Guild of St. Luke. Next year Leonardo da Vinci spent his life in Florence. His first mature painting is “The Adoration of the Magi” (Adorazione dei Magi), commissioned for the monastery of San Donato.

Milanese period (1482 - 1499)

Leonardo came to Milan as a messenger of peace from Lorenzo Medici(Lorenzo di Medici) to Lodovico Sforza, nicknamed Moro. Here his work received a new direction. He was enrolled in the court staff first as an engineer and only later as an artist.

The Duke of Milan, a cruel and narrow-minded man, had little interest in the creative component of Leonardo’s personality. The master was even less worried about the duke's indifference. Interests converged in one thing. Moreau needed engineering devices for military operations and mechanical structures for the entertainment of the court. Leonardo understood this like no one else. His mind did not sleep, the master was sure that human capabilities are limitless. His ideas were close to the humanists of the New Age, but in many ways incomprehensible to his contemporaries.

Two belong to the same period important work– (Il Cenacolo) for the refectory of the monastery of Santa Maria della Grazie (Chiesa e Convento Domenicano di Santa Maria delle Grazie) and the painting “Lady with an Ermine” (Dama con l’ermellino).

The second is a portrait of Cecilia Gallerani, the favorite of the Duke of Sforza. The biography of this woman is unusual. One of the most beautiful and learned ladies of the Renaissance, she was simple and kind, and knew how to get along with people. An affair with the Duke saved one of her brothers from prison. She had the most tender relationship with Leonardo, but, according to contemporaries and the opinion of most researchers, their brief relationship remained platonic.

A more common (and also not confirmed) version is that intimate relationships masters with students Francesco Melzi and Salai. The artist preferred to keep the details of his personal life a deep secret.

Moreau ordered the master equestrian statue Francesco Sforza. The necessary sketches were completed and a clay model of the future monument was made. Further work was prevented by the French invasion of Milan. The artist left for Florence. He will return here again, but to another master - the French king Louis XII.

Again in Florence (1499 - 1506)

Later years (1506 - 1519)

The second Milanese period lasted until 1512. The Maestro studied the structure human eye, worked on the monument to Gian Giacomo Trivulzio and his own self-portrait. In 1512 the artist moved to Rome. Giovanni di Medici, the son of Giovanni di Medici, was elected pope and was ordained under the name of Leo X. Dad's brother, Duke Giuliano Medici(Giuliano di Medici), highly appreciated the work of his compatriot. After his death, the master accepted the invitation of King Francis I (François I) and left for France in 1516.

Francis turned out to be the most generous and grateful patron. The maestro settled in the picturesque castle of Clos Lucé in Touraine, where he had every opportunity to do what was interesting to him. By royal commission, he designed a lion from whose chest a bouquet of lilies opened. French period was the happiest in his life. The king assigned his engineer an annual annuity of 1000 ecus and donated land with vineyards, ensuring him a peaceful old age. The maestro's life was cut short in 1519. He bequeathed his notes, instruments and estates to his students.

Paintings

Inventions and works

Most of the master's inventions were not created during his lifetime, remaining only in notes and drawings. An airplane, a bicycle, a parachute, a tank... He was possessed by the dream of flight, the scientist believed that a person can and should fly. Studied bird behavior and sketched wings different forms. His design for a two-lens telescope is surprisingly accurate, and his diaries contain short note about the opportunity to “see the big moon.”

As a military engineer he was always in demand; the lightweight saddle bridges he invented and the wheel lock for a pistol were used everywhere. He dealt with the problems of urban planning and land reclamation, and in 1509 he built the St. Christopher, as well as the Martesana irrigation canal. The Duke of Moreau rejected his project for an “ideal city”. Several centuries later, the development of London was carried out according to this project. In Norway there is a bridge built according to his drawing. In France, already an old man, he designed a canal between the Loire and Saône.

The secret of genius

There were plenty of secrets in the life of the Renaissance titan. The main one opened relatively recently. But has it opened? In 1950, a list of Grand Masters of the Priory of Sion (Prieuré de Sion), a secret organization created in 1090 in Jerusalem, was published. According to the list, Leonardo da Vinci was the ninth of the Grand Masters of the Priory. His predecessor in this amazing post was Sandro Botticelli, and his successor was Constable Charles III de Bourbon. The main goal of the organization was to restore the Merovingian dynasty to the throne of France. The Priory considered the offspring of this family to be the descendants of Jesus Christ.

The very existence of such an organization raises doubts among most historians. But such doubts could have been sown by members of the Priory who wished to continue their activities in secret.

If we accept this version as the truth, the master’s habit of complete independence and the strange attraction to France for a Florentine become clear. Even Leonardo's writing style - left hand and right to left - can be interpreted as an imitation of Hebrew writing. This seems unlikely, but the scale of his personality allows us to make the most daring assumptions.

Stories about the Priory make scientists distrustful, but enriching artistic creativity. Most shining example– Dan Brown’s book “The Da Vinci Code” and the film of the same name.

• At the age of 24, together with three Florentine youths was accused of sodomy. The company was acquitted due to lack of evidence.
• Maestro was a vegetarian. People who consume animal food were called “walking cemeteries.”
• He shocked his contemporaries with his habit of carefully examining and sketching the hanged in detail. Exploring the device human body considered it the most important activity.
• There is an opinion that the maestro developed tasteless and odorless poisons for Cesare Borgia and wiretapping devices made of glass tubes.
• Television mini-series "The Life of Leonardo da Vinci"(La vita di Leonardo da Vinci), directed by Renato Castellani, received a Golden Globe award.
• named after Leonardo da Vinci and is decorated with a huge statue depicting a master with a model of a helicopter in his hands.

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Epochs High Renaissance. And then there’s the recent success of Dan Brown’s book “The Da Vinci Code” and its film adaptation. It is not surprising that Leonardo’s works are always shrouded in mystery - you can expect anything from such a genius! So 10 best works Leonardo da Vinci:

1

This half-length portrait Italian woman against a beautiful backdrop mountain landscape well known throughout the world, and not only for its artistic qualities: in 1911 it was stolen by a Louvre security guard and found only 2 years later. This incident added to the popularity of the painting, and now Mona Lisa occupies an honorable separate place in the Louvre.

2

The amazing fresco was created in 1795-1498. in the refectory of the monastery of Santa Maria (Milan). It depicts the scene of the last supper of Jesus Christ surrounded by the apostles. Art critics believe that the artist reproduced the moment when the Savior tells his disciples that one of them will betray him. This is a true milestone of Renaissance art! In it, da Vinci used the correct reproduction of the depth of perspective (which was new) - thanks to it, the image acquired depth and liveliness.

3

This is a drawing created as an illustration for a book about the works of Vitruvius (Roman encyclopedist). This drawing clearly shows the image of a man in two positions, one on top of the other. What's special about this drawing? He is called canonical proportion. "Vitruvian Man" received the status of a work of art and scientific work.

4

The most reliable source of our knowledge about what he looked like great artist- This is his Turin self-portrait. It was made with sanguine on paper, but over time it was quite damaged, and this moment not exhibited. There are a lot of speculations around the drawing: in particular, some studies have found that it is a sketch for the painting “Mona Lisa”!

One of the recurring themes of da Vinci's paintings was that of the Madonna and Child - traditional religious plot. "Madonna Litta" became one of best paintings this topic. It's all about the perfection of lines and shapes - for example, pay attention to how harmoniously the figure of a nursing mother is combined with the clear lines of the window openings depicted in the background. IN currently kept in the Hermitage.

6

One of early paintings Leonardo da Vinci. There is no perspective in it yet (it was simply not used before Leonardo), but carefully drawn folds on the clothes and the expressive hands of the Virgin Mary are already visible. By the way, the wings of the Archangel Gabriel were initially more proportional, but later some Unknown artist I finished drawing them, and the wings turned out to be somewhat bulky.

7

The earliest, most touching and spontaneous of all Madonnas by Leonardo da Vinci. All the works he created later (including the aforementioned Litta) are close to it in style and composition. The image of a young mother conveys gentleness and tranquility. Some researchers explain a certain disproportion of the child’s body by the absence of a baby sitter for the artist, and yet it is strange to suspect the great master of drawing “at random”! Most likely, he wanted to emphasize the unearthly origin of this child.

8

This is just a sketch made with pencil and chalk, but it amazes art connoisseurs with the careful depiction of details (for example, curls of hair) and the accurate transmission of emotions manifested in the eyes of a young woman, the curve of her lips...

9

The painting was painted towards the end of the 15th century. The girl in the picture is presumably Cecilia Galleroni, the favorite of Duke Ludovico Sforzi, because at the time the picture was painted, da Vinci was in the service of this nobleman. But this painting is not at all like a standard portrait of a beautiful grande dame. The figure is depicted in three-quarter view, and the gaze is directed to the side (da Vinci's innovation). By the way, the girl herself is not such an “air nymph” at all: despite her attractiveness, the hard fold of her lips betrays her imperious character. Just like the hand that holds the animal - supposedly carefully, but at the same time tenaciously (and da Vinci’s hands always turned out to be very expressive). Well, in order to become the favorite of such a noble man, an iron character was indeed required...

10

A figure often depicted in painting, but how was the Baptist usually depicted? A middle-aged man, with a beard and a stern look... But not a sweet smiling young man, as Leonardo portrayed him! The painting belongs to the late period of the artist’s work. It's surprising that there's nothing familiar in the background picturesque landscape: John’s light body stands out against the gloomy monotonous background.
Each of these works, despite the fact that they are very different, is an entire era in art. Is it any wonder why Leonardo da Vinci is considered the greatest artist?

Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Leonardo da Vinci

Leonardo da Vinci (April 15, 1452 - May 2, 1519) - was famous Italian architect Renaissance musician, inventor, engineer, sculptor and a brilliant artist. He has been described as the archetype of the "Renaissance man" and universal genius. Leonardo is widely known for his unique paintings such as the Mona Lisa and last supper. He is also famous for his many inventions. In addition, he helped in the development of anatomy, astronomy and urban planning.

During the Renaissance there were many brilliant sculptors, artists, musicians, and inventors. Leonardo da Vinci stands out against their background. He created musical instruments, he owned many engineering inventions, painted paintings, sculptures and much more.
His external data is also amazing: high growth, angelic appearance and extraordinary strength. Let's meet the genius Leonardo da Vinci, short biography will tell you his main achievements.

Biography facts
He was born near Florence in the small town of Vinci. Leonardo da Vinci was the illegitimate son of a famous and wealthy notary. His mother is an ordinary peasant woman. Since the father had no other children, at the age of 4 he took little Leonardo to yourself. The boy demonstrated his extraordinary intelligence and friendly character from the very beginning. early age, and he quickly became a favorite in the family.
To understand how the genius of Leonardo da Vinci developed, a brief biography can be presented as follows:
At the age of 14 he entered Verrocchio's workshop, where he studied drawing and sculpture.
In 1480 he moved to Milan, where he founded the Academy of Arts.
In 1499, he left Milan and began moving from city to city, where he built defensive structures. During this same period, his famous rivalry with Michelangelo began.
Since 1513 he has been working in Rome. Under Francis I, he becomes a court sage.
Leonardo died in 1519. As he believed, nothing he started was ever completed.

Creative path
The work of Leonardo da Vinci, whose brief biography was outlined above, can be divided into three stages.
Early period. Many works of the great painter were unfinished, such as the “Adoration of the Magi” for the monastery of San Donato. During this period the paintings " Madonna Benoit", "Annunciation". Despite his young age, the painter already demonstrated high skill in his paintings.
Mature period Leonardo's creativity took place in Milan, where he planned to make a career as an engineer. Most popular work, written at this time, was “The Last Supper”, at the same time he began work on “Mona Lisa”.
IN late period creativity, the painting “John the Baptist” and a series of drawings “The Flood” were created.

Painting always complemented science for Leonardo da Vinci, as he sought to capture reality.

The most famous paintings Leonardo

Annunciation (1475-1480) - Uffizi, Florence, Italy

Ginevra de Benci (~1475) - National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC, USA.

Benois Madonna (1478-1480) - Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia

Adoration of the Magi (1481) - Uffizi, Florence, Italy

Cecilia Gallerani with Ermine (1488-90) - Czartoryski Museum, Krakow, Poland

Musician (~1490) - Pinacoteca Ambrosiana, Milan, Italy

Madonna Litta, (1490-91) - Hermitage, St. Petersburg, Russia

La Belle Ferroniere, (1495-1498) - Louvre, Paris, France

Last Supper (1498) - Convent Maria Delle Grazie Station, Milan, Italy

Madonna of the Grotto (1483-86) - Louvre, Paris, France

Madonna in the Grotto or Virgin in the Grotto (1508) - National Gallery, London, England

Leda and the Swan (1508) - Galleria Borghese, Rome, Italy

Mona Lisa or Gioconda - Louvre, Paris, France

Madonna and Child with St. Anne (~1510) - Louvre, Paris, France

John the Baptist (~1514) - Louvre, Paris, France

Bacchus, (1515) - Louvre, Paris, France.

Madonna with carnation

Anonymous 17th century (based on a lost original) - Portrait of Leonardo da Vinci

Leonardo found worldwide fame, thanks to everyone developed intelligence. This unique person made several discoveries in the field of medicine, science, engineering that 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 as other merits, because the artist’s paintings are truly masterpieces. However, see for yourself the photos of the original paintings posted on this page. good quality with an increase in significant areas and with a description of each masterpiece of the artist.

The title of the painting, painted in 1503-1505, is translated as “Portrait of Madame Lisa Gioconda.”

The identity of the woman depicted remains a mystery to this day, although according to the most 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 towards the viewer. Every detail of the image is described in incredible detail, and the light smile that touched her lips pleasantly surprises. The portrait is considered one of the best in its genre and conveys the most sublime thoughts Italian Renaissance. Currently it adorns the Louvre in Paris.

Da Vinci's painting entitled "Isleworth Mona Lisa"

The portrait is still the same Mrs. Lisa, but with a different background, the presence of columns and less careful drawing of details. There are disputes regarding the time of its writing.

Some historians claim that this is a later version of La Gioconda, while others are sure that this is its first version.

The painting was sold to the collector Blaker, who placed it in his own studio, located in Isleworth - west London. This area gave the “name” to the legendary portrait.

Artwork - “Madonna Litta”

The Littas are a Milanese family that kept the Madonna together with other paintings in their collection throughout the 19th century. Today the canvas belongs State Hermitage Museum. It was painted in 1490-1491 and depicts a woman feeding a baby.

The girl’s gaze, thoughtful and full of tenderness, is fixed on the child. The baby looks at the viewer, holding his mother’s chest with one hand and holding the goldfinch in the other.

"Madonna Benoit"

The painting was painted in 1478-1480 and was not completed. Today it belongs to the Imperial Hermitage.

Da Vinci placed the Madonna and baby Jesus in a dimly lit room illuminated by light from an open window.

There is a special play of light and shapes in the work. The girl smiles sincerely, and the well-fed, serious kid looks at the cruciferous flower with enthusiasm.

"Madonna of the Rocks"

Under this title there are two almost identical paintings. The Louvre exhibits a version written around 1483-1486, and in National Gallery London - created a little later.

The canvas depicts the Virgin Mary, John the Baptist, an angel and the baby Jesus. Overall, it has a peaceful atmosphere, imbued with tenderness. The steep cliffs that form the landscape backdrop create an exclusive contrast.

"Madonna and Child and Saint Anne"

This painting is often confused with Da Vinci's painting "St. Anne with the Madonna and Child Christ." “Madonna and Child and 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 of the 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, looking at the child with undisguised tenderness. The child is active, as if he is playing, stretching out his hands to the invisible butterfly.

“Saint Anne with the Madonna and Child Christ” unfinished painting

This unfinished masterpiece is today in the Louvre in Paris. To create it, da Vinci used a well-known plot in Italy, in which the Madonna is on the lap of her mother Anna, 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 stored in Poland. It is believed that the portrait depicts Cecilia Gallerani, the mistress of Ludovico Sforza, Duke of Milan.

The girl is described in detail and realistically. The presence of ermine has many versions. According to the most common theory, this animal symbolizes purity and chastity. It is placed in the picture to convey these features of Cecilia, to point out her extramarital relationship with the Duke, which does not stain the beauty’s reputation, but is a manifestation of sincere love.

“Ginevra de Benci” - an artistic depiction of the poetess

She was a famous poet and platonic lover of Bernardo Bembo, who, according to historians, is the person who commissioned the portrait.

Da Vinci worked on it from 1474 to 1476.

The girl on the canvas does not smile, she is thoughtful and calm, dressed in a simple, no-frills dress. She is decorated only with a scarf and a small pearl on her neck. The painting is currently on view at the Washington National Gallery of Art.

"Ginevra de Benci" (reverse side)

On the back of the portrait of Ginevra de Benci, an emblem is painted by Leonardo da Vinci: a vertical branch of juniper, framed by a wreath of laurel and palm branches, which are intertwined with a ribbon with Latin phrase: “Virtutem forma decorat.”

Translated, 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 slab of porphyry, 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, painted by other artists, preliminary sketches by da Vinci, and mentions 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 shells lying nearby, the babies were born from large eggs.

"Isabella d'Este"

Isabella d'Este is called the "diva of the Renaissance."

She was a great connoisseur of art and one of famous girls Italy. Isabella was friends with da Vinci and repeatedly asked to create her portrait, but the genius took it on only once.

Alas, after creating a pencil sketch, 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 ordered by the Benedictine Vallombrosian monastery of San Salvia, which kept the painting until 1530, after which it transferred it to the Florentine Uffizi Gallery.

A fragment of the painting “The Baptism of Christ” - a personal work by Leonardo

Connoisseurs of da Vinci's work can enjoy a fragment of the "Baptism of Christ" made personally by Leonardo.

Part of the painting depicts individual elements of a landscape and two angels - the one on the left is the work of a genius. According to legend, Verrocchio was so impressed by the student’s skill that he abandoned art, considering himself unworthy of it.

"Adoration of the Magi"

The painting was begun by order of 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. Today the work is kept in the Uffizi Gallery.

In the background you can see the ruins of a palace or, presumably, a pagan temple, riders on horses, and rocks. In the center of the canvas is Mary with the newborn Jesus. She was surrounded by pilgrims who wanted to worship the son of God.

Historians believe that da Vinci painted the guy on the far right from his own life.

"John the Baptist"

Picture in classic style, distinguished from others by the absence of a landscape and a blank 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's paintings. Perhaps in this way the artist wanted to convey something important. The image of John is gentle, he has a soft smile and an amazing look, as if penetrating the viewer’s soul.

“Saint Jerome” - an unfinished painting by the author

The painting was commissioned by the church authorities in Florence in 1481, but da Vinci had to leave for Milan, so it was not completed. The condition in which it has survived to this day is critical - it was assembled practically in pieces, so it is kept in the Vatican Pinacoteca under careful and careful supervision.

The sketch shows Saint Jerome, whose pose indicates that the man is repenting. A lion is resting nearby - eternal companion Jerome.

Painting entitled - “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 Christ's last meal 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 by the artist

Leonardo da Vinci painted this painting in 1475. The part of the Gospel that tells about the announcement of the future birth of the Savior was chosen as the plot.

The winged archangel Gabriel is kneeling, holding in his left hand a white lily, personifying purity. Right hand he blesses Mary. Near the girl there is a marble stand, decorated with relief, on which lies the Bible. The work is exhibited 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 the 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 painting depicted Duke Lodovico Sforzo. But in XX, during restoration work, it was possible to make out the words on the paper held in the hands of the guy depicted. They turned out to be the initial letters of the words Cantum Angelicum, which in translation sounds like “angelic song.” Notes are drawn nearby. Thanks to this discovery, they began to look at the work differently, giving it an appropriate name.

Leonardo da Vinci's last painting is on display at the Louvre

In front of you in the photograph is Leonardo’s latest creation - “Saint Anne and Mary with the Child.” The painter worked on this painting for 20 years. It is currently on display in the Louvre.

Continuation of the exhibition. . .