Leonardo

Question 1

Madonna of the Rocks

Answer 1

1483 in Milan

• The two versions of the painting exist and this one is in the Louvre in Paris
• The other version is in the National Gallery in London
• Commissioned by the Confraternity of the Immaculate Conception for their chapel in S. Francesco Grande
• Two of his pupils and an independent sculptor worked with Leonardo on this painting
• The four figures form a unifying pyramid which became the basis of High Renaissance compositional practice

Question 2

The Last Supper

Answer 2

1495-98 in Milan

• Commissioned by Ludovico Sforza
• Made for the dining all of Santa Maria delle Grazie
• Ludovico himself ate at the dining hall twice a week
• Leonardo designed the dining hall
• On the opposite end of the dining hall, Leonardo made a crucifixion painting

Question 3

Mona Lisa

Answer 3

1505 in Florence

• According to Vasari, the model is Lisa Giocondo
• Mona is a term of respect and shortened version of the Italian phrase ‘my lady’
• In 1911, the painting was stolen from the Louvre by Vincenzo Peruggia
• Peruggia stole the painting because he believed it belonged in an Italian museum
• A popular rumor about the painting is that the model is Leonardo himself in drag