Leonardo Da Vinci Paintings

Leonardo da Vinci's paintings are fundamental to the history of European art, with Da Vinci and fellow artist Michelangelo being fundamental to the rise of the Renaissance period which began in Italy before spreading across the rest of Europe. As well as skills in art mediums of painting and drawing, Leonardo also went onto achieve success in a whole other set of disciplines in which he would also add his customary innovation. Although his art is the main focus of this article, much of it fits closely with other fields in which he was involved. For example, his sketches in some cases depicted some ingenious inventions, though only at a very low level that at the time seemed impossible dreams. The genius of Leonardo da Vinci is underlined by how many of these inventions later became full products centuries later.

Leonardo's best paintings include titles such as The Mona Lisa (La Gioconda), The Last Supper, St John the Baptist, Baptism of Christ, Adoration of the Magi, Leda, Portrait of Ginevra Benci and Virgin of the Rocks. Most artists of this era would concentrate on religious depictions as they would be placed directly into rich institutions such as churches and cathedrals which could afford to pay large commissions. With few others able to pay the same salaries, artists were always likely to be covering famous religious scenes with their skills in order to pay the bills. Leonardo da Vinci was respected enough to be able to find time to address his own artistic curiosities and so would only choose projects that specifically appealed to him. It was rare for an artist at this time to have such power within his career and unfortunately most would lead relatively frustrated lives, and this continues today with most creative people, not just painters.

Reproductions of Leonardo da Vinci's paintings are best served as framed art prints which finish the original brilliance of the artist with a professional touch that looks great in most homes. Younger fans may instead go for posters or stretched canvases instead. The art market is now flooded with Da Vinci reproductions, with many offering alternative versions of the original paintings, such as cropped elements in greater detail or slightly different tonal and colour balances.

Leonardo da Vinci was certainly the most influential of artists, with a great breadth of talent that is unsurpassed by any human, and only matched by Michelangelo. The Renaissance was led by these two figureheads, with others adding their own more narrow specialties on top to drive European art development onwards. Italian art peaked during this period and has never risen to the same levels since, in terms of influence on other countries and as such Leonardo da Vinci will always be amongst the most respected painters and sketchers with in the country.

Da Vinci paintings are available to buy from Davincipaintings.org.

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