The artwork titled “Old man with ivy wreath and lion’s head” is a creation attributed to Leonardo da Vinci, a master of the High Renaissance. Crafted between approximately 1494 and 1519 in Florence, Italy, this portrait is executed with chalk on paper and measures 18.3 cm by 13.6 cm. The piece is reflective of the artistic movements da Vinci was a part of and showcases his ability to infuse life and character into his drawings.
The artwork presents a vivid portrait of an elder man, whose face is marked by the passage of time, sculpted with deep lines and wrinkles. The man’s expression is somber, perhaps contemplative, as if bearing the weight of profound thought or experience. He wears an ivy wreath atop his head, which is traditionally a symbol of fidelity and may imbue the subject with a sense of wisdom or association with classical themes. On his chest, a sketch of a lion’s head is visible, which might represent courage, strength, or the linkage to a heraldic or symbolic theme. Leonardo’s precise and deft use of line to render the textures of facial features, hair, and foliage, as well as the subtle shading that captures the dimensions of the face and neck, attest to the artist’s virtuosity with simple materials and his keen observation of human anatomy and emotion.
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