LEONARDO DA VINCI 1452-1519

Leonardo da VINCI Vinci, 1452–Amboise, 1519 Study for Saint Anne: Head of the Virgin Black chalk, red chalk and traces of pen and brown ink About 1507–1510 Leonardo began to work on Saint Anne between 1501 and 1503. Over the long course of its creation he experi- mented with many different ideas, including a head of the Virgin with braids enveloped in an elaborate headdress composed of transparent veils gathered into a pleated turban; this idea appeared in the copies, but was eventually abandoned.The Virgin’s face in this drawing is brought to life by the softly smudged black chalk and delicate strokes of red chalk. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, NewYork, inv. 1951.51.90 Leonardo da VINCI Vinci, 1452–Amboise, 1519 Study for Saint Anne: Arm of the Virgin Red and black chalk, grey wash, white heightening, pen and brown ink on red prepared paper About 1507–1510 The drapery over the Virgin’s right arm plays a structural role in the painting’s composition, influencing its diagonal movement. Leonardo decided to replace the simple fabric in the preparatory cartoon with a transparent material arranged in a series of skilfully rendered circular folds. His experimentation with mixed media gave this drawing a distinctly painterly style. The Royal Collection, Windsor, RL 12532, loaned by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 167 168