LEONARDO DA VINCI 1452-1519

Leonardo da VINCI Vinci, 1452–Amboise, 1519 Compositional Study for Saint Anne Black chalk reworked in pen and brown ink About 1500–1501 The protagonists in this sketch are the same as those in the Louvre’s drawing, but Leonardo has reversed their positions and placed the Lamb on the ground, thereby heightening the dynamics of the action. Mary is holding Jesus tightly to prevent him from playing with the lamb – a symbol of his future Passion. Leonardo hesitated as to the position of Anne’s head; unlike Mary, she seems to be trying to bring the lamb and the Christ Child closer together. Galleria dell’Accademia, Venice, inv. 230 Leonardo da VINCI Vinci, 1452–Amboise, 1519 The Virgin and Child with Saint Anne and the Infant Saint John the Baptist, known as The Burlington House Cartoon Black chalk heightened with white About 1500 This large cartoon (full-scale preliminary sketch) was Leonardo’s first idea for a composition depicting Saint Anne with her daughter Mary and grandson Jesus (Saint Anne trinity).The Christ Child is blessing the infant Saint John the Baptist, sent to prepare the world for the coming of the Saviour. Anne gazes at her daughter, pointing to heaven as if to remind her of God’s plan for her son; although Mary’s smile suggests that she consents to his future sacrifice, she holds him back nonetheless. A flowing spring in the lower right corner of the landscape is probably an allusion to the water of baptism. The National Gallery, London, NG 6337 161 162