Leonardo da Vinci

'Madonna (Virgin) of the Rocks' - (c.1491-1508)

• Aerial perspective - depth
• Jesus, Angel Uriel and John the Baptist
• Chiaroscurro
• Idealised
• Like stage scenery
• Rocks have less geological precision than the Louvre copy
• Contains mysteries
• Large figures
• Technical achievement
• Confraternity

'Mona Lisa' - (c.1503-1513)

• "Notions of her mind and passions of her soul"
• Landscape of the Alpes + naturalism
• No jewels
• Veil of ambiguity
• Engages with viewer
• Mother's smile + hint/riddle of a smile
• Sfumato
• Scientific investigation
• Swollen fingers
• Arms form base of pyramidal composition
• Paints to find answers
• Could be celebrating pregnancy
• Poplar wood + Oil paint
• Not symmetrical
• Scarf thrown over shoulder
• Loose hair was a sign or eroticism
• Unknown sitter/mysterious woman not fully identified

'Battle of Anghiari' 

• Commissioned by the Signoria from Leonardo in 1503
• For the Sala del Gran Consiglio
• Palazzo della Signoria, Florence
• Central selection of the projected fresco
• Turn of the century
• High Renaissance
• Theme = Propaganda
• Heroic subject matter
• Complex figurre (animal) group
• Power
• Intended to be a fresco

Leonardo da Vinci

1452-1519

Dies in early stage of Renaissance

Born in Tuscany

Educated himself through drawing/painting