Priya Kapoor
Leonardo da Vinci, the Italian polymath and founding figure of the High Renaissance, left an indelible mark on the world of art. His surviving body of work is small, but his influence is immense. The Louvre in Paris, France, is home to the largest collection of da Vinci works in the world, including five paintings: The Virgin of the Rocks, La Belle Ferronnière, The Mona Lisa, Saint John the Baptist, and Saint Anne. The Louvre's 2019 exhibition, marking the 500th anniversary of da Vinci's death, featured 11 of his paintings, including Salvator Mundi, and a VR experience, Mona Lisa: Beyond the Glass.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Leonardo da Vinci paintings in the Louvre | 5 |
| Names of the paintings | The Virgin of the Rocks, La Belle Ferronnière, The Mona Lisa, Saint John the Baptist, Saint Anne |
| Other names for Saint Anne | The Virgin, the Child, and Saint John the Baptist; The Virgin and Child with Saint Anne |
| Other Leonardo da Vinci works in the Louvre | 22 drawings, an infrared reflectograph of the Mona Lisa, a virtual reality exhibit about the Mona Lisa, a copy of Salvator Mundi, Saint Jerome Praying in the Wilderness, Saint Jean Baptiste, The Virgin and the Child (a.k.a. Benois Madonna) |
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What You'll Learn
The Louvre owns five paintings by Leonardo da Vinci
The Louvre in Paris owns five paintings by Leonardo da Vinci, constituting the largest collection of his work in the world. The paintings are:
- The Virgin of the Rocks: This painting is also called The Virgin, the Child Jesus, Saint John the Baptist, and an Angel. It was created between 1483 and 1494 using oil on wood, and was later transferred to canvas.
- La Belle Ferronnière: This painting features a woman with an inscrutable expression, similar to the famous Mona Lisa.
- The Mona Lisa: The world's most famous artwork, this painting draws thousands of visitors to the Louvre each day. The subject's softly-modelled face showcases da Vinci's skilful handling of sfumato, an artistic technique using subtle gradations of light and shadow.
- Saint John the Baptist: This painting is believed to have been created around the same time as Salvator Mundi, which is also on display at the Louvre, albeit as a copy.
- Saint Anne: Also known as The Virgin, the Child, and Saint Anne, this painting may have been da Vinci's last, and it depicts three generations of the Holy Family.
In addition to these paintings, the Louvre also houses 22 drawings by da Vinci, as well as works by his followers, including Marco d'Oggiono, who copied many of da Vinci's paintings, such as The Last Supper.
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The Mona Lisa is not part of the Louvre's exhibit
The Louvre in Paris is home to a large collection of Leonardo da Vinci's artworks, including paintings, drawings, and manuscripts. The museum owns five paintings by Leonardo da Vinci, including the iconic Mona Lisa.
While the Mona Lisa is indeed a highlight of the Louvre's collection, it is important to note that this renowned painting is typically displayed separately from the main Leonardo da Vinci exhibit. During special exhibitions, such as the 500th-anniversary commemoration of Leonardo da Vinci's death, the Mona Lisa may not be included as part of the featured display.
The decision to exclude the Mona Lisa from specific exhibitions is likely due to its immense popularity and the resulting logistical challenges. The painting attracts thousands of visitors daily, and accommodating such large crowds within a dedicated exhibition space could be difficult. Additionally, the painting's absence from the exhibition allows visitors to explore and appreciate Leonardo da Vinci's other remarkable works, preventing the exhibit from being overshadowed by a single piece.
Instead of being included in the exhibition, the Mona Lisa is usually displayed in one of the Louvre's galleries, where it remains accessible to visitors. This arrangement ensures that art enthusiasts can still admire the masterpiece while also enjoying the curated exhibition showcasing Leonardo da Vinci's diverse artistic achievements.
Although the Mona Lisa may not be part of all special exhibitions, the Louvre often incorporates innovative ways to include it in the overall experience. For example, during the 2019 exhibition, visitors could explore the story behind the painting through a virtual reality section at the end of the exhibit. This approach allowed people to learn about the artwork's historical context and significance while also discovering other facets of Leonardo da Vinci's genius.
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The Louvre's VR experience, Mona Lisa: Beyond the Glass
The Louvre is home to a plethora of Leonardo da Vinci's works, including the iconic Mona Lisa. While the painting is not included in the museum's exhibit on the Renaissance artist, it remains on view in the Louvre's galleries, attracting thousands of visitors each day. The Louvre's VR experience, "Mona Lisa: Beyond the Glass," offers a unique perspective on this renowned artwork.
"Mona Lisa: Beyond the Glass" is more than just a virtual encounter with the painting. It delves into the story behind the masterpiece, providing insights into Leonardo da Vinci's artistic genius. Through this experience, visitors can explore the techniques and intentions of the artist, understanding why the Mona Lisa has captivated audiences for centuries.
The VR experience also showcases Leonardo da Vinci's fascination with technology. It invites visitors to embark on a virtual journey, experiencing one of the artist's unrealized machine designs. This immersive aspect blends art and technology, reflecting da Vinci's own interests and contributions to the field of invention.
In addition to the VR experience, the Louvre's da Vinci exhibition features a rich collection of his paintings, drawings, and sketches. Among them are renowned works such as "The Virgin of the Rocks," "La Belle Ferronnière," "Saint John the Baptist," and "Saint Anne." These paintings, along with the "Mona Lisa," constitute the museum's collection of five da Vinci paintings, the largest in the world.
The Louvre's VR experience, "Mona Lisa: Beyond the Glass," is a testament to the museum's innovative approach to art appreciation. By utilizing virtual reality, the Louvre offers a unique and immersive way to engage with Leonardo da Vinci's masterpiece, providing a deeper understanding of the artist's vision and techniques. This experience not only attracts visitors but also contributes to the preservation and promotion of da Vinci's legacy.
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Salvator Mundi, the most expensive artwork ever sold at auction
Salvator Mundi, painted circa 1500 by Leonardo da Vinci, is the most expensive artwork ever sold at auction. The painting sold for $450.3 million at Christie's in New York on 15 November 2017, setting a new record for the most expensive painting ever sold at public auction.
The painting depicts Jesus Christ in blue Renaissance attire, making a gesture of blessing with his right hand, while holding a transparent, non-refracting crystal orb in his left, signalling his role as Salvator Mundi, or 'Saviour of the World'. The crystal orb also represents the 'celestial sphere' of the heavens. Leonardo da Vinci's deliberate emphasis on some parts of the picture over others is a distinctive feature of his oeuvre. Elements in the foreground are seen in focus, while elements further from the picture plane, such as Christ's face, are barely in focus.
The auction house Christie's took the painting on a promotional tour to Hong Kong, London, and San Francisco before its auction in New York. The painting generated enormous global hype, and the auction was billed as a "once-in-a-lifetime sale". The sale drew a rapt audience of nearly 1,000 art collectors, dealers, advisors, journalists, and onlookers.
The auction success of Salvator Mundi has been attributed to a triumph of marketing as much as market appetite. By placing the work in its post-war and contemporary sale, rather than in an old masters sale, Christie's presented the painting to the wealthiest and keenest buyers in the high-end contemporary art market, where paying millions for works has become the norm.
There have been some doubts about the authenticity of Salvator Mundi as a Leonardo da Vinci painting, and the condition of the painting has been called into question. However, many Renaissance scholars have asserted that it is genuine.
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The Virgin of the Rocks, La Belle Ferronnière, and Saint Anne
Leonardo da Vinci's paintings continue to be some of the most influential artworks globally, even centuries after his death. The Louvre Museum in Paris, France, is home to three of his paintings: The Virgin of the Rocks, La Belle Ferronnière, and The Virgin and Child with Saint Anne.
The Virgin of the Rocks is the name of two paintings by Leonardo da Vinci, with identical compositions except for a few significant details. The version hanging in the Louvre is the earlier of the two and is considered the prime version. It is also the smaller of the two, with the London version being about 8 cm taller. The Louvre version is painted on canvas, whereas the London version is still on the original wooden panel. The painting depicts the Virgin Mary and Child Jesus with the infant John the Baptist and the angel Uriel in a rocky setting. This painting is a perfect example of Leonardo's "sfumato" technique.
La Belle Ferronnière, also known as Portrait of an Unknown Woman, is a painting of a lady by Leonardo da Vinci on display at the Louvre. The identity of the woman in the painting has been a mystery, with various theories and attributions. It was once believed to be Cecilia Gallerani, one of the mistresses of Ludovico Sforza, Duke of Milan. Later, it was identified as possibly depicting Lucrezia Crivelli, a married lady-in-waiting who became the Duchess of Milan's husband's mistress. Another theory suggests it could be Beatrice d'Este, the wife of Ludovico Sforza, based on similarities with a drawing in the Uffizi Gallery.
The Virgin and Child with Saint Anne is another painting by Leonardo da Vinci that hangs in the Louvre. This painting depicts the Virgin Mary with the Christ child, accompanied by Saint Anne, the mother of Mary. It is a testament to Leonardo's skill and his ability to capture the complex relationships and emotions within his artworks.
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Frequently asked questions
The Louvre owns five paintings by Leonardo da Vinci: The Virgin of the Rocks, La Belle Ferronnière, Saint John the Baptist, Saint Anne, and the Mona Lisa.
The Louvre holds 22 drawings by Leonardo da Vinci, including the large drawing Saint Anne, The Virgin, the Child, and Saint John the Baptist.
The Mona Lisa is not included in the exhibition. However, it remains on view in the Louvre's galleries, and an infrared reflectograph of the painting is included in the exhibition.
The exhibition includes paintings by followers of Leonardo da Vinci, such as Marco d'Oggiono, who copied many of Leonardo's paintings, including The Last Supper.
The exhibition features a virtual reality experience, "Mona Lisa: Beyond the Glass", which explores the story behind the famous painting and allows visitors to see what it might have been like to fly on an unrealized machine designed by Leonardo.
