Leonardo da Vinci is an artist that hardly needs any kind of introduction. Often regarded by historians as the greatest artist and inventor of all time, da Vinci was gifted with a number of talents so advanced and refined that he stood out during a time when the world was going through a transformation.
Credited with dozens of works of every shape and size, da Vinci was a prolific artist, creating work that remains hugely popular to this day. These are some of the very best painting created by da Vinci during his most famous years.
Lady With An Ermine
While the subject of this creation long remained a mystery, it was eventually discovered that she was Cecilia Gallerani, who was the mistress of Ludovico Sforza, the duke of Milan. At the time, the ermine was used as a type of emblem for the duke, and it became an internationally recognised piece, one that still very much holds that title to this day.
The painting has been overpainted, which is indicated by the dark background, it still reveals a surprising amount about da Vinci’s deep understanding of human anatomy, while also his skill at putting expression and emotion on the canvas.
The Last Supper
The Last Supper is among the most famous painting on the planet, and was originally commissioned by Ludovico Sforza, who was the patron of Leonardo while he stayed in the city of Milan. It’s a piece that depicts the last supper that Jesus had with his disciples, and da Vinci went to great effort to link the imagery with the Gospels of the bible.
Not only was the painting extremely detailed, but it reveals a lot about da Vinci’s interests, including his fascinating with how a person’s character can be revealed In their posture. It’s a moving piece that anyone with a love of historical art will want to go and see at some point.
Salvator Mundi
Salvator Mundi, which translates to “Saviour of the World,” was created in 1500, and became world famous when it was sold of $450 million, a record at the time, and the kind of money usually associated with online gambling casino winnings.
It was surprising given the fact that the painting was not in the best condition when it was sold, coupled with the fact that it had something of a questionable history.
In fact, many art experts have expressed that the painting is not one of da Vinci’s best, especially considering it was so divergent from his usual creations. Despite this, others have claimed that it was simply because the painting seems different because of the restorations that it has undergone in the centuries since it was created.
The Mona Lisa
The Mona Lisa is considered to be the greatest painting of all time and can be found hanging in the Louvre in Paris. While seemingly at first nothing more than a portrait of a smiling woman, it has sparked countless debates over the years, especially concerning the woman’s smile.
To this day, we aren’t completely sure who she was, but she remains a testament to da Vinci’s almost otherworldly skill with a paintbrush.