Leonardo da Vinci
We present this beautiful Leonardo as a special request from our user, Joe. Thank you for suggesting this. :)
Leonardo was not a prolific painter, but he was a most prolific draftsman, keeping journals full of small sketches and detailed drawings recording all manner of things that took his attention. As well as the journals, there exist many studies for paintings, some of which can be identified as preparatory to particular works.This drawing employs the subtle sfumato technique of shading, in the manner of the Mona Lisa. Other drawings of interest include numerous studies generally referred to as "caricatures" because, although exaggerated, they appear to be based upon observation of live models. Vasari said that if Leonardo saw a person with an interesting face he would follow them around all day observing them. Here, Leonardo combines an ideal of youthful beauty with a naturalism based on direct observation, it leaves us feeling we have been given everything we could possibly ask for. The face, with its clear outlines biased to the left, is strong, fully formed, and natural. Her eyes are large and clearly defined, so is her nose, so is her chin. But notice that she has had to turn to face us. Also, that her hair and shoulders are only summarily sketched in.
Doesn’t everything around it fade away, even as the face itself is enhanced, becoming more intensely, more unforgettably real? You can easily fall in love with this woman, although Leonardo himself was more inclined to fall in love with men. But that is a different story.