Leonardo da Vinci Drawings
Self Portrait, red chalk, circa 1512 to 1515. Royal Library of Turin This is a self-portrait of the artist. Probably during his later years. One can notice a great knowledge of anatomy of the human head. All the beautiful lines wraps around the forms and muscles underneath. The focus is mainly on the face and the facial features and sort of fades outward gradually, with indications of beards executed with fine lines. The drawing has a very elegant quality and glows from the pape rwith life-like effect, as it does with most of Leonardo da Vinci drawings. Leonardo da Vinci is considered to be one of the best draughtsman and painter that have ever lived. Some calls him "superhuman" as he was talented and superior in so many other fields besides art. His expertise in multiple fields, such as astronomy, science, mathematics, inventions,engineering, etc., were results of the man's infinite curiosity of the world that revolved around him. He is also considered as a great mystery even as of today. Da Vinci was born in the Tuscan Hill of Vinci, a territory of Florence on April 15, 1452 to a Florentine notary named Piero da Vinci, and a peasant woman named Caterina. He studied under a famous a painter from that era named Verrachio. He thoroughly studied the human anatomy at the studio of Verrachio's. He was soon allowed to dissect humans at the hospitals in Florence and made countless drawings/studies of human parts, the bones and tendons. He collaborated with the doctors and published his anatomical drawings. He also dissected and studied the anatomy of animals, especially the horses. Many of Leonardo da Vinci drawings are portraits interesting people he saw around him. It is said that he would follow a person that he felt possessed interesting features and would draw them from life. These drawings he made are also referred as "caricatures". The famous paintings, "Mona Lisa" and "The Last Supper" are da Vinci's works. They are still praised and admired today. Due to his vigorous experimentations of painting techniques, not too many of his finished paintings exists, but the notes and drawings he kept are invaluable treasures that still educates artists and scholars today. Only other artist that rivaled da Vinci's genius was Michelangelo Buonarrotti. Da Vinci came up with brilliant concepts in his notes, such as for helicopters, tanks, concentrated solar power, calculator, etc., but during his time, it was impossible to carry out such concepts into actual production. But he did bring great improvements to his era as well, such as the automated bobbin winder. He advanced the knowledge in his era, on the human anatomy as well as optics, and engineering. The records indicates that da Vinci was charged with sedomy and acquitted in 1476. From then on, there are no records that tells his lofe, his whereabouts , and his works, until 1478, when h ereceived a commission to do the painting "The Adoration of the Magi". Soon da Vinci left to Milan without finishing this important commission. While he was in Milan, 1482 to 1499, he completed "The Virgin of the Rocks" as well as "The Last Supper". Da vinci's most famous work, "Mona Lisa" was completed in the 1500's. It is rather a small piece and many people become surprised when they finally see the famous work in person to find how much smaller it is than they have anticipated. The portrait is praised for the subjects mysterious smile and the brilliantly flawless handling of the oil painting techniques. Leonardo da Vinci drawings are more reknowned than the paintings. His many beautiful drawings of portraits, and studies will always be admired and treasured.
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