Amazing Rare Things
The art of natural history in the age of discovery
LEONARDO DA VINCI (VINCI 1452-AMBOISE 1519)
A sprig of blackberry (Rubus fruticosus)
c.1505-10RCIN 912425
A study of a spray of blackberry, showing fruit and flowers.
Leonardo made several studies of branches of blackberry, possibly in connection with his painting of Leda and the swan. While they capture the vigorous nature of the bramble’s growth, they are also highly detailed, drawn with a sharpened piece of natural red chalk.