Virgin of the Rocks

Summary

In the National Gallery of London, the second version of Leonardo da Vinci's 'The Virgin of the Rocks' is discussed, highlighting its unique depiction of Mary as the Madonna of Humility. The video explores the painting's complex composition, the High Renaissance style, and Leonardo's signature sfumato technique. It also delves into the symbolic significance of the landscape and the figures, including the Virgin Mary, John the Baptist, Christ Child, and the archangel, emphasizing the painting's themes of purity and divine grace.

Takeaways

• 🎨 The script discusses the second version of Leonardo da Vinci's 'The Virgin of the Rocks' in the National Gallery, London, and mentions another version in Paris.
• 🛠️ It suggests that Leonardo's assistants may have contributed to the painting, which was common practice in the art workshops of the time.
• 🕰️ The painting took an unusually long time to complete, starting in 1491 and possibly never finished, with a complex history involving a commission and a bonus dispute.
• 👩‍👧 The subject matter presents Mary in a humble pose, seated on the ground, which is a departure from the traditional depiction of her on a throne in Heaven.
• 🌿 The painting emphasizes the natural world, suggesting a Renaissance respect for nature and its exaltation.
• 👪 The figures in the painting include the Virgin Mary, the Christ Child, John the Baptist, and an archangel, arranged in a pyramid composition.
• 🤔 Mary's gesture towards John seems stern, possibly directing him towards Christ, while her left hand foreshortens, encapsulating Christ's space.
• 🧝‍♂️ The archangel's presence adds a sense of divine beauty and elegance to the heavenly scene.
• 💧 The still body of water in the foreground symbolizes Mary's purity and foreshadows Christ's baptism by John.
• 🏰 The painting was commissioned by the Confraternity of the Immaculate Conception in Milan, which may add a layer of meaning related to purity.
• 🌫️ Leonardo's technique of sfumato is highlighted, creating a smoky haziness that contributes to the High Renaissance style of softness and grace.
• 🔍 The painting showcases Leonardo's attention to detail in anatomy, botany, and geology, reflecting his broader interests as a Renaissance man.

Q & A

What is the significance of the painting 'The Virgin of the Rocks' by Leonardo da Vinci?

The painting 'The Virgin of the Rocks' is significant as it is a representation of the Madonna of Humility, showing Mary's humility seated on the ground, and it is also notable for its complex composition and the innovative use of sfumato technique by Leonardo da Vinci.

Why are there two versions of 'The Virgin of the Rocks'?

There are two versions because the first commission did not meet Leonardo's expectations for a bonus, leading him to sell the painting to someone else and subsequently work on a second version.

What is the role of assistants in the creation of artworks during the Renaissance?

During the Renaissance, it was common for artists to have workshops with assistants who would sometimes help complete the work of a painting, reflecting the collaborative nature of artistic production at the time.

How does the painting 'The Virgin of the Rocks' depict the relationship between Mary, John the Baptist, and Jesus Christ?

In the painting, Mary embraces John the Baptist with her right arm, who is praying towards Jesus Christ, who in turn is blessing him. This portrayal signifies Mary's role in directing John towards Christ.

What is the significance of the landscape in 'The Virgin of the Rocks'?

The landscape in 'The Virgin of the Rocks' is significant as it represents a shift in the Renaissance perspective, where nature itself is given respect and attention, and is portrayed with a sense of exaltation.

What artistic technique did Leonardo da Vinci develop that is evident in 'The Virgin of the Rocks'?

Leonardo da Vinci developed the technique called sfumato, which is evident in the painting through the smoky haziness that creates a soft transition between figures and the background, contributing to the High Renaissance style of grace and softness.

How does the painting 'The Virgin of the Rocks' reflect the theme of purity?

The painting reflects the theme of purity through the depiction of an undisturbed body of water in the foreground, the protected garden, and the emphasis on Mary's purity through the color and composition.

What is the significance of the figure of the archangel in 'The Virgin of the Rocks'?

The archangel in the painting adds to the divine and heavenly atmosphere, with its beauty and elegance suggesting a higher, extra divine realm within the divine setting.

What does the positioning and gesture of Mary's hands signify in the painting?

Mary's hands in the painting signify a complex and graceful movement, with one hand seemingly stern on John's shoulder, directing him towards Christ, and the other hand foreshortened, encapsulating the space where Christ exists.

How does the painting 'The Virgin of the Rocks' relate to the Massacre of the Innocents?

The painting is related to the apocryphal story of the meeting between Mary, Jesus, and John the Baptist as they flee the Massacre of the Innocents, adding a layer of narrative to the artwork.

Who commissioned 'The Virgin of the Rocks' and what might be the secondary references in the painting?

The painting was commissioned by the Confraternity of the Immaculate Conception in Milan, and the secondary references might include the emphasis on Mary's purity through the use of water and the protected garden as metaphors.

Outlines

00:00

🎨 'The Virgin of the Rocks' Art Analysis

This paragraph discusses Leonardo da Vinci's second version of 'The Virgin of the Rocks' at the National Gallery in London. It contrasts this version with another in Paris and suggests that some parts might have been completed by da Vinci's assistants, which was a common practice among artists at the time. The discussion highlights the painting's long creation period from 1491 to 1508, and the artist's dissatisfaction with the commission bonus, leading to the creation of a second version. The Virgin Mary is depicted in a humble pose, seated on the ground, which was a departure from the traditional portrayal seated on a throne. The natural setting is given a level of reverence, reflecting the Renaissance's newfound respect for nature. The composition is unified, forming a pyramid shape with the figures, and Mary's graceful gestures and body positioning are indicative of the High Renaissance style developed by da Vinci. The conversation also touches on the symbolic meanings behind Mary's stern hand on John the Baptist's shoulder, directing him towards Christ, and the angel's elegant presence. The still body of water in the foreground is a metaphor for Mary's purity and foreshadows Christ's baptism. The painting was commissioned by the Confraternity of the Immaculate Conception in Milan, and the use of color, particularly the flash of yellow, draws attention to the central, empty space,象征着 the space of her womb.

05:00

🌿 Leonardo's Mastery of Nature in Art

The second paragraph delves into Leonardo da Vinci's comprehensive understanding and fascination with the natural world, which extended beyond his painting to include studies in anatomy and science. It emphasizes the accuracy in the painting's depiction of anatomy, botanical specimens, and geology, showcasing da Vinci's multifaceted expertise. The paragraph also highlights the use of sfumato, a technique developed by da Vinci that creates a smoky haziness, contributing to the High Renaissance's softness and grace. This technique allows figures to emerge from the darkness without hard lines, enhancing the painting's atmospheric perspective. The discussion concludes by acknowledging da Vinci as the epitome of a Renaissance man, whose interests and knowledge spanned a wide range of disciplines.

Keywords

💡National Gallery

The National Gallery is a renowned art museum located in London, housing a collection of over 2,300 paintings dating from the mid-13th century to 1900. In the video, it is the setting where the discussion of Leonardo da Vinci's 'The Virgin of the Rocks' takes place, emphasizing the importance of the location in the context of art history and the significance of the artwork being discussed.

💡Leonardo da Vinci

Leonardo da Vinci was an Italian polymath of the Renaissance, known for his paintings, inventions, and diverse areas of expertise. The video script focuses on his work 'The Virgin of the Rocks,' highlighting his role as a central figure in the development of High Renaissance art and his unique approach to depicting human anatomy and the natural world.

💡The Virgin of the Rocks

This term refers to a painting by Leonardo da Vinci, which is the main subject of the video script. The painting features the Virgin Mary, the Christ Child, John the Baptist, and an archangel. The video discusses two versions of the painting, one in London and another in Paris, and delves into the artistic techniques and themes present in the artwork.

💡Madonna of Humility

The Madonna of Humility is an artistic representation of the Virgin Mary seated on the ground, symbolizing her humility. In the video, this concept is used to describe Mary's posture in 'The Virgin of the Rocks,' contrasting with the more traditional depiction of Mary seated on a throne, and emphasizing the natural world as a significant element in the painting.

💡High Renaissance

The High Renaissance refers to a period in European art history characterized by a classical approach, balance, and harmony. The video script mentions this term to describe the style of 'The Virgin of the Rocks,' particularly Leonardo's depiction of graceful, complex body movements and unified compositions, such as the pyramid-shaped arrangement of figures.

💡Sfumato

Sfumato is a technique developed by Leonardo da Vinci that involves the subtle blending of tones and colors without clear lines or edges, creating a hazy, smoky effect. The video script refers to this technique to illustrate how figures in 'The Virgin of the Rocks' seem to emerge from the background, contributing to the painting's atmospheric perspective and softness.

💡Anatomy

Anatomy is the study of the structure and function of living organisms, particularly the human body. The video script notes Leonardo's interest and expertise in anatomy, which is reflected in the accurate depiction of the human form in his paintings, including 'The Virgin of the Rocks.'

💡Botanical specimens

Botanical specimens refer to plants or parts of plants that are collected and preserved for study. The video mentions Leonardo's attention to botanical detail in his paintings, suggesting that his art was not only about visual aesthetics but also about the accurate representation of the natural world.

💡Geology

Geology is the study of the Earth's structure, substance, and processes. The script implies that Leonardo's interest in geology is evident in the detailed and accurate depiction of rocks and landscapes in 'The Virgin of the Rocks,' showcasing his comprehensive understanding of the natural world.

💡Atmospheric perspective

Atmospheric perspective is a technique in painting that uses color and tone to create the illusion of depth and distance. The video script describes the atmospheric perspective in 'The Virgin of the Rocks' as 'gorgeous,' highlighting how it contributes to the painting's sense of space and the figures' emergence from the background.

💡Renaissance man

A Renaissance man is a person with wide-ranging knowledge or skills in various areas of art, science, and literature. The term is often used to describe Leonardo da Vinci, who epitomized this ideal with his diverse interests and expertise. The video script refers to Leonardo as the quintessential Renaissance man, emphasizing his multidisciplinary approach to art and science.

Highlights

The National Gallery in London houses the second version of Leonardo da Vinci's The Virgin of the Rocks.

Another version of the painting exists in Paris, possibly with contributions from da Vinci's assistants.

The painting process involved workshop assistants, a common practice among artists of the time.

The painting's conception began in 1491 and was not completed until 1508, with some debate on whether it was ever truly finished.

Leonardo da Vinci's dissatisfaction with the commission bonus led to the creation of a second version of the painting.

The Virgin Mary is depicted in a humble pose, seated on the ground, a representation known as the Madonna of Humility.

The painting reflects a Renaissance respect for nature, with the natural world serving as a kind of throne.

The figures in the painting form a pyramid shape, a composition technique indicative of the High Renaissance style.

Mary's gesture towards John the Baptist directs him towards Christ, suggesting a narrative within the painting.

The painting demonstrates Leonardo's mastery of foreshortening, particularly evident in Mary's left hand.

The archangel's presence adds a sense of divine elegance to the heavenly space depicted in the painting.

The still body of water in the foreground symbolizes Mary's purity and foreshadows Christ's baptism.

The painting was commissioned by the Confraternity of the Immaculate Conception in Milan, with potential secondary references to purity.

Leonardo's use of sfumato technique creates a smoky haziness, contributing to the painting's atmospheric perspective.

The painting showcases Leonardo's attention to anatomical, botanical, and geological accuracy, reflecting his broader interests in the natural world.

Leonardo da Vinci is recognized as the quintessential Renaissance man, with interests spanning painting, anatomy, and science.

Transcripts

(jazzy piano music)

- [Man] We're in the National Gallery in London,

and we're looking at the second version,

by Leonardo da Vinci, of The Virgin of the Rocks.

- [Woman] There's another version in Paris.

This, they think, is the second version,

perhaps some of it completed by Leonardo's assistants,

and we should remember when we read that,

that that's how artists worked - That was normal

- Right - That was normal

- It's not a big deal, they had a workshop,

they had assistants, assistants sometimes helped

to complete the work of a painting and the idea,

of course, is that the work of a painting

is really not the actual painting, but it's also the idea.

- Especially important for Leonardo.

So, why is it that there are two versions,

and why such a long period for this painting.

It was started in 1491, it wasn't finished until 1508,

and you can actually argue that it was never finished.

- The commission was started

and Leonardo was promised a bonus when he completed it,

but the bonus that he got

didn't live up to what he expected, and he

- He sold it to somebody else

- He apparently gave the painting to someone else,

and then he had to work on a second version,

and that's what this is.

The Virgin of the Rocks is an interesting subject,

cuz, for me, I normally think about Mary

seated on a throne in Heaven.

Here we have another way of presenting Mary,

which is Mary seated on the ground,

as a type of image of Mary called the Madonna of Humility,

showing Mary's humility, seated on the ground.

- Also means that the natural world

has become a kind of throne,

or is it more exalted than it would have previously

been understood, in other words,

I think in the Renaissance,

nature itself is given a kind of respect

and a kind of attention.

But that's quite a landscape, this is not just a meadow,

as we might see in a Rafael. - Right

- So maybe we should actually just focus for a moment

on who everybody is and what's going on here.

We have the Virgin Mary who's the primary figure

and really functions at the top of that pyramid of figures.

She's embracing with her right arm a child, a baby,

the slightly larger of the two, slightly older of the two,

and that would be John the Baptist,

who in turn is praying to the figure that

is in turn blessing him, and that is the Christ Child,

and then over to the right is an archangel.

- And we can barely make out her wings behind her.

Mary's gestures and the position of her body

are incredibly graceful, she tilts her head to the right,

kind of shifts her shoulders over,

her hips move in the other direction,

the way the right arm reaches out,

the left hand comes forward,

the position of her body is very complex,

and to me that's really the signal

we're in the High Renaissance,

and of course that's what Leonardo develops,

is this new, High Renaissance style

where we have bodies that move very gracefully

in very complex ways, and compositions which are unified,

as you said, this one,

where all the figures make up the shape of a pyramid.

- It's interesting, as I'm looking at it,

it seems as if Mary's hand on John's shoulder

is actually a fairly stern one.

Almost as if she's directing John to Christ.

And look at the painting virtuosity here,

look at the way in which her other hand,

her left hand, is foreshortened.

It seems to sort of encapsulate the space

that Christ exists in, but is in no way directing him.

And then, of course, there's that angel,

which looks on with a kind of beauty

and a king of elegance that is breath taking.

- That speaks of the divine

and this heavenly space that they occupy.

And you're right, if you think about it,

the way you just described it,

which is that Mary's sort of ushering John toward Christ

and Christ existing in a space unto himself,

in a kind of extra divine realm within this divine realm.

It really helps to make sense of those gestures.

- And remember that, in the foreground,

is a very still body of water,

which can have a kind of double reference,

both to Mary's purity, that undisturbed water,

but at the same time,

a kind of foreshadowing of the baptism of Christ by John,

many years later, and of course this is an apocryphal story

of their meeting as they both flee

the Massacre of the Innocents.

- And we know that this was commissioned by the

- Confraternity of the Immaculate Conception.

- In Milan

- And that may have a sort of secondary set of references

referring to her purity again,

and the way in which this painting

seems to really emphasize that.

You've got the purity of the water,

you've got the protected garden,

all metaphors, and then you've got that flash of yellow

across her waist which really draws attention,

and the fact that all of these figures, and their faces,

and their arms are all surrounding

that almost sort of oddly empty central space.

- And sort of revolve around

- Absolutely. - That space of her womb.

- The atmospheric perspective is gorgeous.

- Well and the darkness of the painting is striking,

especially as you look around

at other Renaissance paintings,

and this is a technique that Leonardo

developed called sfumato,

which means a kind of smoky haziness,

where figures seem to emerge

from the darkness of the background,

and they don't have any of those hard lines around them,

and I think this is also part of

that High Renaissance softness and grace.

- There's a kind of accuracy to the anatomy of the figures,

to the botanical specimens,

and even to the geology here that I think also reminds

us that Leonardo was not just a painter,

but was somebody who understood the natural world,

was fascinated, and studied the natural world,

and painting was one part of that series of professions.

- Leonardo took that to an extreme,

but that was also true of so many Renaissance artists

that interested in anatomy and science.

Although, Leonardo is the quintessential Renaissance man.

(jazzy piano music)