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Virgin of the Rocks or Madonna of the Rocks

  • “Virgin of the Rocks” which is also named as “Madonna of the Rocks” is one of the Late Renaissance paintings of Leonordo Da Vinci.
  • The painting was sketched by  Leonardo da Vinci in two versions ; One painting usually hangs in the Louvre, Paris, and the other in the National Gallery, London.
  • Leonardo painted both of the versions in Milan, where he had moved from Florence.
  • Both of the paintings show the Madonna and Christ Child with the infant John the Baptist and an angel, in a rocky setting which gives the paintings their usual name.
Virgin of the Rocks at Musée du Louvre Paris France. Photo : mbell1975 flickr

Virgin of the Rocks at Musée du Louvre Paris France. Photo : mbell1975 flickr

  • “Virgin of the Rocks” is painted in oils on wooden panel. The height of both of the paintings is of 2 meters.
  • Mary, which is normally dignified as the queen of heaven. In “Virgin of the Rock” Mary is seated on the ground. This type of representation of Mary makes her a symbol of humbleness.
  • Both versions of “Virgin of the Rocks” have remained under great debate and research by the historians. The Louvre version is considered as the entire creation of Leonordo while the National Gallery London version is still the source of some doubts.
  • The legend associated with “Virgin of the Rocks” is an allegorical meeting between the infant Jesus and John the Baptist on the flight into Egypt. Mary who is seated at the centre of the composition with Jesus is shown with the angel Uriel whose arm is raised in blessing; John’s hands are fastened for prayer.

Madonna of the Rocks: The National Gallery, London

  • The periods of both of the versions of “Virgin of the Rocks” are like this; The pattern of the Louvre version belongs more to the 1480’s and it was completed early in 1490. While the London version is assumed to be completed in 1506.
  • “Virgin of the Rocks”, is another Da Vinci painting that makes an appearance in The Da Vinci Code book. According to The Da Vinci Code, the baby on the left is actually Jesus and is shown praying to John. Mary appears to be holding a phantom head, which Uriel is cutting off at the neck.
  • The recent restoration project for Leonardo da Vinci’s “Virgin of the Rocks”  or “Madonna of the Rocks” has revealed new details and suggests the Renaissance artist may have painted the entire picture himself, instead of with his assistants as previously thought.
London & Paris Versions, " Madonna of the Rocks"

London_& Paris_Versions, " Madonna of the Rocks"

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Mona Lisa: The historic facts

  • The portrait of Mona Lisa has reached the glory of fame in the history of art more than any other art work in the world.
  • The painting of Mona Lisa has gained the ultimate significance as a celebrity status and it has always revolved in global news , articles and researches.
  • Currently, Mona Lisa is in the possession of French government and it is displayed at the Musée du Louvre in Paris, France.
  • This famous painting was created by Leonordo Da Vinci and it is also named as La Gioconda or La Joconde, or Portrait of Lisa Gherardini, wife of Francesco del Giocondo.
  • Leonardo da Vinci started painting this portrait in 1504 in Florence, Italy and he continued to work on it for four years. Like many other paintings of Leonardo, he also remained it unfinished.
  • The original size of Mona Lisa is 20 7/8″ x 30″ and it was painted on oil on poplar wood.

The portrait of Mona Lisa by Leonordo Da Vinci

  • Who is Mona Lisa? It has remained the biggest question of interest among the artist community and historians. The most popular theory is that she is believed to be Lisa Gherardini born on Tuesday, June 15th 1479 who was the wife of Francesco di Bartolomeo di Zanobi del Giocondo, a rich Florentine merchant.
  • Mona Lisa was painted when she was 24 and had 2 sons. This painting is the half-length portrait which displays Lisa del Giocondo as seated.
  • The most astonishing factor of this fabulous painting is the enigmatic smile on the face of the lady. These facial expressions are the subject of the debate till today.
  • It is believed that the painting of Mona Lisa is priceless. It can neither be assessed for its value nor can it be insured. This is an important historic fact about Mona Lisa.
  • The painting of “Mona Lisa” is kept in a very special room in the Louvre Museum in Paris which is preserved in a climate controlled environment and encased in bullet proof glass. This room was built especially for the painting and cost the museum over seven million dollars.
  • There are two theories about the disappearance of the eyebrows in the painting. First one is that Leonordo Da Vinci who was the consummate perfectionist, has knowingly kept it unfinished. The other theory is that the eyebrows were accidently removed while its restoration work, centuries ago.
  • Leonordo Da Vinci used a pyramid design to place the lady sophisticatedly and calmly in the space of the painting. Her folded hands form the front corner of the pyramid. Her breast, neck and face glow in the same light that models her hands.
  • The Mona Lisa has been preserved for more than 500 years now and it is kept under extraordinary protection and fantastic state of conservation.

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The Last Supper: By Leonordo Da Vinci

  • “The Last Supper” was created in the Italian city, Milan in the 15th century.
  • It was a mural painting. Mural is an artwork which is applied directly on wall or ceiling or any other permanent surface.
  • The creator was the genius Leonardo di ser Piero da Vinci who is considered as the most prominent Italian Renaissance scholar and artist.

The last supper by Leonordo Da Vinci

  • Leonordo Da Vinci started this project in 1495 and he spent almost two years in completing this painting.
  • The original size of “The Last Supper” painting is 13′ 10″ x 29′ 7½” (421.6 x 903 cm).
  • This grandiose and impressive painting is preserved in the Refectory, S. Maria delle Grazie, in Milan, Italy.
  • The theme of this painting is to represent the scene of The Last Supper from the last days of Jesus, when He announces that one of his Twelve Apostles would betray him.
  • The Last Supper categorically portrays the reaction given by each apostle after this shocking announcement by Jesus. Leonordo Da Vinci has tremendously painted the different reactions of all twelve apostles with various degrees of anger and amazement.
  • The amazing painting “The Last Supper” is painted on a dry wall, not on the wet plaster. So this is not a fresco in its form.
  • Since the accomplishment, during the last centuries “The Last Supper” has undergone many restoration projects to safeguard it from decay.
  • “The Last Supper” by Leonardo Da Vinci has been targeted by many historians and authors with lots of speculations. One of these famous theories is that the person to the left of Jesus (on his right) is actually Mary Magdalene, rather than the apostle John!
  • “The Last Supper” was commissioned by the Duke Lodovico Sforza, Leonardo’s patron, for the refectory (dining hall) of the convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie, in Milan, Italy.
  • “The Last Supper” and “Mona Lisa” are one of the two most famous paintings of Leonordo Da Vinci that helped to establish his extraordinary fame as a painter.
  • “The Last Supper” is now preserved by a sophisticated air filtration system, moistured monitored environment, and dust-filtering chambers. Visitors must make reservations and groups are limited to 25 people for viewing times of only 15 minutes.