A writer in 'The Athenæum,' in describing the study, says, "There are few pictures that awaken more ardent curiosity in the student of painting than this panel. Little more than a dark monochrome, at first glance almost chaotic, and with many of the figures veiled in obscurity, it is without any of the alluring qualities which solicit popular attention. The figures are firmly outlined with a pen, and the shadows rubbed in with umber. Only a portion of the background—the sky and some foliage—is commenced in solid pigments, but Leonardo's dramatic conception fortunately remains in all its force and intensity. He has placed the Virgin, holding the Saviour in her arms, in the centre of the panel and in the immediate foreground. A choir of angels lean over the grassy bank behind her. On either side two compact groups of men press forward towards the Child. There is no stable nor manger, but in the background are antique ruins, with large flights of steps, and on these are groups of armed men. Other groups of horsemen, dimly apparent behind the principal figures, are in violent action, and really anticipate the composition of 'The Battle of the Standard,' designed more than twenty years later."
THE PAINTINGS OF LEONARDO DA VINCI, WITH THEIR PRESENT LOCATIONS
FRANCE. Paris, Louvre: Portrait of Mona Lisa (Plate i); St. John the Baptist (Plate VI); Virgin of the Rocks (Plate ii); St. Anne, the Virgin, and the Christ-child (Plate ix)—ITALY. Florence, Academy: Angel in Verocchio's 'Baptism' (Plate viii)—Florence, Uffizi Gallery: Adoration of the Magi (Plate x)—Milan, Sta. Maria Delle Grazie: The Last Supper (Plate v)—Rome, Vatican Gallery: St. Jerome.
PRINCIPAL PAINTINGS ASCRIBED TO LEONARDO DA VINCI
AUSTRIA. Vienna, Liechtenstein Gallery: Portrait of a Young Woman—IX. ENGLAND. London, National Gallery: Virgin of the Rocks (Plate iii)—FRANCE. Paris, Louvre: 'La Belle Feronniere' (Plate vii); Annunciation; Bacchus—GERMANY. Berlin Gallery: The Resurrection—ITALY. Florence, Pitti Palace: Portrait of a Jeweller; 'LaMonaca'—Florence, Uffizi Gallery: Annunciation—Milan, Ambrosian Library: Portrait of an Unknown Princess (Plate iv); Portrait of a Man—RUSSIA. St. Petersburg, Hermitage Gallery: Litta Madonna.
Leonardo da Vinci Bibliography
A LIST OF THE PRINCIPAL BOOKS AND MAGAZINE ARTICLES DEALING WITH LEONARDO DA VINCI
AMORETTI, C. Memorie Storiche su da Vinci. (Milan, 1804)—Berenson, B. Florentine Renaissance Painters. (New York, 1896)—Blassis, C. de: Da Vinci. (Milan, 1872)—Boito, C. Leonardo e Michelangelo. (Milan, 1879)—Bossi, G. Cenacolo di L. da Vinci. (Milan, 1810)—Brown, J. W. Life of Da Vinci. (London, 1828)—Brun, C. Da Vinci [in Dohme's Kunst und Künstler, etc.] (Leipsic, 1879)—Burckhardt, J. Der Cicerone [edited by V. Bode] (Leipsic, 1898)—Campori, G. Nuovi
