Leonardo da Vinci is one of the most famous painters in the world. Artists who create creative works always produce amazing works.
When Leonardo died in 1519, he still left many notes and sketches for paintings. Some of his unfinished works were completed by his assistants, but many were lost, damaged, and repainted.
Here are 10 famous works of Leonado da Vinci, as reported by Britannica:
Mona Lisa (1503)
Primarily the Mona Lisa, which has become one of the most famous paintings in the world. The image of a woman in a light veil, on a dress and a dark background can attract thousands of visitors to the Louvre every day.
This work makes us unable to deny Leonardo’s talent. Carefully drawn headdresses, delicately drawn trees, express the tireless patience of Leonardo.
Last Supper (1495)
The painting, titled The Last Supper, or better known as The Last Supper, is one of Leonardo’s famous works.
This work describes the close relationship between Jesus and his apostles, including in Matthew 26:21-28, where Jesus says that one of the apostles will betray him in the future.
Virtuvian Man (1940)
This painting on a piece of paper depicts a man in two poses with arms and legs intertwined in a circle. This painting is sometimes referred to as a human suggestion. If you want to see this painting, you can visit the Gallerie dell’Accademia, Venice, Italy.
Self Portrait (1490/1515)
This painting, painted in 1490/1515 in red ink, shows an old man with long hair and a wavy beard. Most people who have seen this painting will know it as the appearance of Leonardo. However, some experts believe otherwise, because the painting looks older than the age of Leonardo, who died at the age of 67.
The Virgin of the Rocks (1483)
The painting in the Louvre is the first of two paintings of the Virgin of the Rocks. This work by Leonardo tells of the Holy Family who met Saint John the Baptist while trying to flee to Egypt from the massacre of Herod.
Because of the controversy, Leonardo finally painted another copy in 1508, which is now in the National Gallery in London.
Head of a Woman (1500)
A painting depicting a woman with her head tilted and her eyes tilted. Where this painting of Leonardo really shows is a very comprehensive and detailed way of working out a person’s facial expressions.
Lady with an Ermine (1489)
Art historians identify the young woman in this painting as Leonardo’s mistress. This painting reveals Leonardo’s knowledge of anatomy and his ability to draw figures in posture and expression.
Salvator Mundi (1500)
This painting made headlines in 2017 when it sold for a record $450.3 million at auction.
Ginevra de’ Benci (1474)
This painting is one of Leonardo’s works on display in the Americas, namely in the National Gallery in Washington, DC.
It became one of Leonardo’s works that he made when he was in his twenties, inspired by his contemporaries in Europe.
The Virgin and Child with Saint Anne (1503)
Some experts believe that this painting was the last work of Leonardo before his death. This painting depicts Saint Anne, her mother daughter, Mary, and the Child of Christ. Unlike the painting Virgin of the Rocks, this work depicts the funny behavior of a teenager.
Meet Leonardo da Vinci, the versatile painter of the Mona Lisa
Leonardo da Vinci is one of the most famous painters in the world. This Italian painter, sculptor and engineer was born on April 15, 1452, exactly today.
He was born to Sir Piero and Caterina. His father was a notary and owner of Florence. He grew up in his father’s family and received a basic education like any other child.
His artistic inclinations began to appear from a young age. Father took 15-year-old Leonardo da Vinci to meet artist Andrea del Verrocchio. This introduction led Leonardo to training in painting, sculpture, and other arts.
Subsequently, Leonardo da Vinci also worked in the workshop of the artist Antonio Pollaiuolo. In 1472, he was accepted into the painters’ guild in Florence. However, he continued to work in the master artists’ workshop for another five years, working independently until 1481.
In 1482, he moved to Milan and lived there for 17 years. He was highly respected and always busy as a painter, sculptor, and designer for palace festivals. He is also frequently consulted as a technical advisor in the fields of architecture, fortifications and the military.
In this period, as reported by Britannica, he completed six works, such as the painting The Virgin of the Rocks (1483-86) and one of his most famous paintings, The Last Supper (1495-1498).
Not only that, Leonardo also had many students and apprentices, such as Giovanni Antonio Boltravio, Ambrogio de Predis, Bernardino dei Conte, Francesco Napolitano, Andrea Solari, Marco d’Oggiono and Salai.
“Salvator Mundi” by Leonardo da Vinci (Photo: AFP/Ilya S. Savenock)
In late 1499 or early 1500, he left the city and lived briefly in Venice before returning to Florence. In the same year, he was appointed engineer for the commission of inquiry into damage to the foundations and structures of the Church of San Francisco al Monte.
In 1503, Leonardo received a valuable commission to paint a fresco in the council chamber of Palazzo Vecchio in Florence that was twice the size of the Last Supper. In the same year, he also began to paint the Mona Lisa (1503-1919).
Political events of the temporary expulsion of the French from Milan in 1513 forced Leonardo, who was 60 years old, to move to Rome. He and his students like Melsey and Sly hope to find work. They stayed there for three years.
In the last years of his life, Leonardo received an invitation from King Francis I to France. However, in 1516, he left Italy for good with Melzi, his most loyal student.
Leonardo spent the last three years of his life in the small residence of Clos (later called Clos Luce), near the summer palace of the king at Amboise in the Loire.
He proudly bears the title of Premier Pinter, Architect and Machinists du Roi (the King’s first painter, architect and engineer).
Leonardo da Vinci died on May 2, 1519 in Clox and was buried in the chapel of the Palace of Saint Florentine.
Unfortunately, the church was destroyed during the French Revolution and completely demolished in the early 19th century. Therefore, Leonardo’s tomb could never be found again.
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