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1 of 253523 objects
Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
The Alps seen from Milan c.1510-12
Red chalk, touches of white chalk, on orange-red prepared paper | 10.5 x 16.0 cm (sheet of paper) | RCIN 912410
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On this sheet Leonardo drew three separate sequences of mountains on the horizon, one above the other; at the centre are the peaks of the Grigne, near Lecco in the foothills of the Alps, as seen looking north from Milan – perhaps from the roof of the Duomo or a tower of the Castello Sforzesco. This is an extraordinary depiction of strong sunlight falling on mountains and seen at a distance through clear atmosphere. A companion sheet (RCIN 912414) bears a note on these effects:
The rocks of this mountain take on naturally a colour
tending towards blue, and the intervening air makes
them appear bluer still, particularly in the shadows.
They also show dark marks from the minute trees
which grow among them, and have in their dividing
lines an ochre tone and violet-coloured marks. Outlines
of a white tone are stone quarries, and among
them are thick woods interspersed with meadows.
Text adapted from Leonardo da Vinci: A life in drawing, London, 2018Provenance
Bequeathed to Francesco Melzi; from whose heirs purchased by Pompeo Leoni, c.1582-90; Thomas Howard, 14th Earl of Arundel, by 1630; probably acquired by Charles II; Royal Collection by 1690
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Medium and techniques
Red chalk, touches of white chalk, on orange-red prepared paper
Measurements
10.5 x 16.0 cm (sheet of paper)
Featured in
ExhibitionLeonardo da Vinci: A Life in Drawing: Nationwide
A nationwide exhibition of drawings to commemorate the 500th anniversary of Leonardo's death
