Leonardo da Vinci and the drawing of Head of Christ in Venice
Discover an in-depth study of Leonardo da Vinci’s Drawing of the Head of Christ (Venice), its influence on Giampietrino, and the Christ Carrying the Cross paintings.
Leonardo da Vinci and the Drawing of the Head of Christ in Venice: An In-Depth Study
• Presentation of the Venice Drawing: Historical Context and Iconography
• Influence of the Drawing on Giampietrino and the Painters of the Cross
• Explanatory Videos in French and English
• Access to Full Studies and Summaries in PDF Format
• A Lost Model? The Mystery of the “Ritratto di Spalla”
• The Stylistic Significance of the Venice Drawing Among Lombard Artists
• Visual Resources: Annotated Images of the Venice Drawing
This site presents an in-depth study of the famous Drawing of the Head of Christ from the Gallerie dell’Accademia in Venice (No. 231), attributed to Leonardo da Vinci. Executed in the master’s iconic style, this drawing showcases a remarkable “Ritratto di Spalla” (shoulder portrait), one of Leonardo’s defining characteristics.
Based on a rigorous analysis, this study demonstrates how this drawing influenced several Italian artists, particularly Lombard painters such as Giampietrino, in their representations of Christ Carrying the Cross.
The site provides access to:
• A general presentation of the drawing and its historical context.
• Explanatory videos (French & English) clearly illustrating the key points of the study.
• Downloadable PDF documents: full studies and summaries in French and English.
'Ritratto di spalla', Leonardo da Vinci
Drawing extracted from a sheet of studies from the National Gallery of Art, Washington (probably 1470–1480).
'Ritratto di spalla', Leonardo da Vinci
Testa di Fanciulla, circa 1478–1485, Royal Library of Turin (silverpoint).
Christ Carrying the Cross, Giampietrino London
A unique model repeatedly reproduced by Giampietrino.
Christ Carrying the Cross, Giampietrino Budapest
A unique model repeatedly reproduced by Giampietrino.
Christ Carrying the Cross, Giampietrino Turin
A unique model repeatedly reproduced by Giampietrino.
Photo credits
• Leonardo da Vinci – Head of Christ and Hand Pulling the Hair (Gallerie dell’Accademia, Venice, No. 231): Public domain.
• Leonardo da Vinci – Excerpt from Sheet of Studies (National Gallery of Art, Washington): Public domain (NGA Washington).
• Giampietrino – Christ Carrying the Cross (National Gallery, London): © National Gallery, London.
• Giampietrino – Christ Carrying the Cross (Museum of Fine Arts, Budapest): © Museum of Fine Arts, Budapest.
• Giampietrino – Christ Carrying the Cross (Galleria Sabauda, Turin): © Galleria Sabauda, Turin.