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Benois MadonnaOil on wood, transferred canvas, 49.5 × 31cm St Petersburg Hermitage
This painting is the first work that Leonardo created after leaving the Verrocchio workshop. It is believed to be one of the Madonna and Child paintings mentioned in the notes left by Leonardo, "In 1478, I began two Madonnas and Child paintings." The size of the painting is about 50 cm vertically, so it is more likely that it was painted for personal use rather than as an altarpiece to be displayed in a church. However, since there are no accurate records of this painting, it is completely unknown how it came to be created and for whom. In fact, although it is generally recognized today as a genuine work by Leonardo, there is no definite provenance, so strictly speaking it can only be said to be "definite," and it may not even be a work by Leonardo. However, this work is very different from many other works of unknown authenticity that are said to be by Leonardo, and Leonardo's unique delicate and elegant style can be seen everywhere. For this reason, many experts and researchers agree that this work is by Leonardo, and there are almost no opposing opinions. I also feel that this work is definitely an authentic work by Leonardo. In particular, the depiction of the Christ Child is very similar to the depiction of the Christ Child and John the Baptist in the later Virgin of the Rocks, and exudes a dignity that only Leonardo could have done. Many religious paintings were produced during the Renaissance, and many of these depictions of the Christ Child are bizarre, grotesque, and even hideous, but Leonardo's child is neat, adorable, and dignified, which is a major difference. In this way, there is no problem with the depiction of the Christ Child as a work by Leonardo, but there are some parts of the Virgin Mary's facial expression that feel strange. I particularly have doubts about the facial expression of the Virgin Mary smiling with her mouth open. In Leonardo's case, there are no other examples of her smiling with her mouth open, so I think it is quite unlikely that Leonardo painted this part himself. As other researchers have pointed out, it is likely that this part has been modified by another artist. However, other parts are full of Leonardo-esque characteristics and there is nothing suspicious about it. The pose of the infant Jesus, which looks simple yet has a complex twisting of the body, the pose of the Virgin Mary holding the infant on her lap, the depiction of the clothing rolled up around the waist and continuing down to the knees, the pearl decoration of the chest brooch, the design from the shoulder to the chest brooch - all of these elements are classic depictions that often appear in Leonardo's works.
Hermitage Museum, 38 Palace Embankment, Dvortsovy Municipal Okrug , Cental District, Saint Petersburg Opening Hours
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