LEONARDO DA VINCI 1452-1519

Leonardo da VINCI Vinci, 1452–Amboise, 1519 Studies of a Horseman Fighting a Dragon Pen and brown ink, wash About 1480–1481 The scene evokes Saint George fighting the dragon, but this horseman is identical to the one in the fighting scene in the background of The Adoration of the Magi. It may have been an idea for the painting that was abandoned, or another project that was finally reused for the altarpie- ce in the church of San Donato in Scopeto. The British Museum, London, inv. 1952, 1011.2 Leonardo da VINCI Vinci, 1452–Amboise, 1519 The Penitent Saint Jerome Oil on walnut panel About 1480–1482 The original destination of this painting is unknown. Saint Jerome is depicted in the wilderness of the Holy Land where, tormented by visions of temptation, he mortifies his flesh while gazing at a crucifix. The lion that he helped by removing a thorn from its paw sits in front of him.The absolute freedom Leonardo allowed himself when painting often resulted in him leaving works unfinished. Pinacoteca Vaticana, Vatican, inv. 337 0 55 0 56