Detail from hyperspectral imaging data, revealing the drawing for the angel and baby of the first composition (under the landscape at the right side of the painting). © The National Gallery, London.
Detail from hyperspectral imaging data, revealing the drawing for the angel and baby of the first composition (under the landscape at the right side of the painting). © The National Gallery, London.
Detail from hyperspectral imaging data, revealing the drawing for the angel and baby of the first composition (under the landscape at the right side of the painting). © The National Gallery, London.
Leonardo da Vinci, The Virgin of the Rocks, with tracing of the lines relating to underdrawing for the first composition, incorporating information from all technical images. © The National Gallery, London.
Leonardo da Vinci, The Virgin with the Infant Saint John the Baptist adoring the Christ Child accompanied by an Angel, or The Virgin of the Rocks, ca. 1491/2–9 and 1506–08. © The National Gallery, London.
Two observations on the article -
First, Mary is “staring down”, (their phrase), at the infant John in the final image - which the article did not note.
Second, was the infant,John in the early drawings?
It also was not noted, and I was unable to see any evidence of that in the early drawings.
Maybe John’s addition, was what prompted the change?
Thanks much FRiends,
Tatt
I’m a bit confused. This is showing that Leonardo da Vinci was composing a different picture, and then changed it to what we see now?
