Two studies of the heads of grotesque animals. On the right is a long-haired hound with a grotesquely long lower lip, a sign of inanity. The other head is a composite, with a mouth like a pug dog, a lion’s mane, ears like a shaggy bear, and strange wrinkled flaps from the brow hanging down the cheeks. The bit in its mouth and bridle may suggest that this was a study for a fantastic mask to be worn by a costumed servant pulling a chariot or float in some festivity perhaps in January 1491 to celebrate the wedding of Ludovico Sforza and Beatrice d’Este, for which we know Leonardo designed costumes of wild men. Melzi's number 40.

Text adapted from Leonardo da Vinci: A life in drawing, London, 2018