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 A Seated Old Man, originally drawn c.1510</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.A pen and ink sketch of an old man seated in front of a tree meditating, seemingly looking towards four separate studies of swirling water, a theme which fascinated Leonardo all his life. The inscription in Leonardo's hand explains the 'motion of the surface of the water which resembles hair'. On the verso of this sheet are various architectural studies in red chalk.</br>Print size inches: 8.6 x 6.3