Leonardo da Vinci paintings in the Galleria Degli Uffizi

Annunciation - Oil on wood (90 x 222 cm) by Leonardo da Vinci 

An interesting point made in the commentary to this painting: “Some anomalies can be found in the figure of the Virgin, whose right arm appears too long – perhaps a reflection of Leonardo’s early research into optics, which would have taken into account a lateral viewpoint (from the right) – and lowered, due to the original location of the painting, over a side altar in a church.” (Source: Uffizi site)

Adoration of the Magi San Donato in Scopeto - Drawing in charcoal, watercolour ink and oil on wood (244 x 240 cm) by Leonardo da Vinci 

This painting was a commission from the Augustinian monks. The panel was for the high altar in the church of San Donato in Scopeto, (just outside Florence’s city walls). Leonardo never finished the work. It is interesting to see the different stages and have a glimpse into Leonardo’s process. The sky consists of a white lead base coat and lapis lazuli (which was an expensive precious stone and was therefore used in thin transparent layers over the white background).

The Baptism of Christ - Tempera and oil on panel (177 x 151 cm) by Andrea del Verrocchio and Leonardo da Vinci 

Leonardo was a pupil of Verrocchio. According to Giorgio Vasari (a mid-16th century historian best known for his Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects), Leonardo painted the figure of the angel on the left with such skill that he upset the older Verrocchio.

Current studies consider that Leonardo’s work on the painting was more extensive and included the landscape, golden light and the figure of Christ.

The museum

Galleria Degli Uffizi
Piazzale degli Uffizi, 6
50122 Florence, Italy

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