Paintings

Richard G Casas

Red Chalk Man-   
                   

Red Chalk Man was one of Da Vinci’s simpler yet profound pieces of work. Though it cannot be confirmed, it is pretty well accepted that the main in this portrait is Da Vinci himself. Da Vinci is thought to be in his 60’s at the time of this self-portrait and is distinguished by his long hair and beard. Though not much is known about the portrait, many believe that the art work holds magic powers, and was even secretly moved to Rome during WWII out of fear that Hitler would obtain the portrait and access its powers. It is one of the most valuable of his works left in existence and currently resides in Turin, Italy.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portrait_of_a_Man_in_Red_Chalk

http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-29815227

Medusa Shield

The Medusa Shield is considered one of the most disturbing and mysterious of all of Da Vinci’s artworks. This painting was painted during Da Vinci’s youth and served to truly show that mastery of his skills. The subject of the painting is the snake haired Greek monster Medusa. Story has it that the painting was so realistic that it frightened Da Vinci’s father when he first encountered the painting. After Da Vinci sold it to a friend, the record of where the shield ended up gets a little hazy. Though it is believed to have made its way into the hands of some higher bidding sellers, the shield itself was lost to history never to be seen again.

http://www.academic-capital.net/2013/10/leonardo-di-vincis-lost-painting.html

http://www.history.com/news/history-lists/8-lost-masterpieces-of-art

Salvatore Mundi

Salvatore Mundi is probably one of Da Vinci’s most recently discovered paintings, found only 5 years ago! The painting is a portrait of Jesus Christ. Though this painting was originally done for the King of France in the early 16^th century, it was passed through a series of private sellers that had long led people to believe it was lost or worse yet destroyed. After making its way to an Art Dealer, it discovered all over again. The painting was found heavily overpainting leading many to believe for a long time that this was an attempt to forge a copy of a Di Vinci. After receiving treatment and analysis from experts and historians, its authenticity was confirmed!

http://www.cnn.com/2011/11/04/living/discovering-leonardo-salvator-mundi/

The Last Supper

The last supper is one of the most well-known and symbolic artworks that Da Vinci left the world. It is one of the most studied of his works as it is believed to hold an incredible amount of hidden symbolism among the subjects of the painting. It portrays the scene of the final supper Jesus Christ had with his twelve apostles, and more specifically, when he tells them that one of them will betray him. The painting has been subject to much controversy, namely the belief that one of the individuals in the painting is not an apostle, but in fact Mary Magdalene, a much debated character in Christianity.

http://mentalfloss.com/article/64372/15-things-you-should-know-about-last-supper

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Last_Supper_(Leonardo_da_Vinci)

Mona Lisa

The Mona Lisa is by far the most famous of Leonardo Da Vinci’s works, and definitely one of the most famous in the world of Art culture. The oil painting is well over 500 years old and currently sits in the Louvre in France. It is believed to be a painting of a Lisa del Giocondo, the wife of a wealthy merchant from the early 16^th century. This painting, like many of Da Vinci’s other works, has been subject to much controversy. In 1911 the painting was actually stolen from the Louvre but after a slip up from the mastermind who stole it, it was recovered a few years later and placed back on display.

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Mona-Lisa-painting

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mona_Lisa