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.
I don’t think the other woman was an angel. I think it was Elizabeth, the mother of John.
After Mary became pregnant, she went to the hill country to see Elizabeth. The hill country is exemplified by all the rocks and the cavernous type surroundings.
Elizabeth uttered her famous words “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb” ..which became the basis for the still chanted prayers to Mary by Catholics.
It would make sense that the two women would visit together with their months apart babies.
Now, Elizabeth in reality was an old women who had been barren up until her husband interceded on her behalf as high priest, before God. In this painting however, she is depicted as a maiden ehich would place her as subject to Mary, considering her words to Mary at the announcement of their pregnancies.
Another beautiful painting is Van Eck’s annunciation. They cleaned and restored that painting in the 1990’s and then placed it for viewing in the National Art Gallery (Smithsonian Museum) in DC. I got to see that one up close and from only a foot away. It was something I’d wanted to see in person, so it was exciting to me to be able to do that.
For what it’s worth...