LEONARDO DA VINCI 1452-1519

Leonardo da VINCI Vinci, 1452–Amboise, 1519 Studies for Saint Anne: the Infant Jesus Red chalk, traces of white heightening on red prepared paper About 1502–1503 Leonardo’s sketches of the Christ Child on this sheet attest to his close observation of both the overall figure and the details.The child in the top right corner is depicted with a piece of cloth around him that was to be held by the Virgin.This detail appears in several workshop versions but is missing from the cartoon for Saint Anne. Gallerie dell’Accademia, Venice, inv. 257 Leonardo da VINCI Vinci, 1452–Amboise, 1519 Study for Saint Anne: Head of Saint Anne Black chalk About 1502–1503 This head of Saint Anne was a preparatory drawing for the cartoon (full-scale preliminary sketch) that served for the Louvre’s painting of Saint Anne. It shows her wearing an opaque headdress – unlike her daughter Mary, whose hair is visible.The idealised, smiling face is drawn in black chalk, delicately smudged to create imperceptible transitions between light and shade, comparable to the sfumato (smoky) effect in the painting itself. The Royal Collection, Windsor, RL 12533, loaned by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 165 166