작품 상세

Set of two lithographic prints comprising:</br>lithographic print of drawing by Leonardo da Vinci entitled Star of Bethlehem and other Plants, originally drawn c.1505-7</br>Acquired by Charles II, King England (1630-85). Bequeathed to Francesco Melzi; purchased by Pompeo Leoni, c.1582-90; Thomas Howard, 2nd Earl of Arundel by 1630 and finally resting with The Royal Collection by 1690.Red chalk with pen and ink. During this time (1505-7), Leonardo was creating a number of studies of plants for the foreground of the painting Leda and the Swan, destroyed around 1700. Moving towards a more stylised structure the drawing illustrates the Star of Bethlehem with flowers growing from a draped ring of swirling leaves and grasses behind. To the left one identifies leaves of crowfoot and to the right wood anemone with spurge and detail of its individual flowers below.</br>Print size inches: 6.5 x 8 together with lithographic print of drawing by Leonardo da Vinci entitled The Head of Leda, originally drawn c.1504-6</br>Acquired by Charles II, King England (1630-85). Bequeathed to Francesco Melzi; purchased by Pompeo Leoni, c.1582-90; Thomas Howard, 2nd Earl of Arundel by 1630 and finally resting with The Royal Collection by 1690.Pen and ink over black chalk. This is a study, four of which survive, for the head of Leda in the painting Leda and the Swan. The theme is based on the mythical tale of Leda seduced by Jupiter in the form of a swan. Leonardo demonstrates his attention to detail with the whorls and braids of the hairstyle, not dissimilar to forms created by water. The painting itself does not survive, having been destroyed in the eighteenth century.</br>Print size inches: 6 x 7.2