Study for a kneeling Leda 1503-07 Black chalk, pen and ink on paper, 126 x 109 cm Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam Leda, the wife of the king of Sparta, was seduced by Zeus in the form of a swan. She gave birth to two eggs from which hatched Helen, Clytemnestra, Castor and Pollux. This and a second compositional plan in Chatsworth show the kneeling Leda gently embracing the swan. With her right hand she is pointing to the children.
Studies for a Nativity 193 x 162 mm Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York Leonardo left hundreds of notebooks filled with drawings in which he explored ideas, compositions, or inventions. His curiosity led him to sketch and puzzle out diverse subjects, such as running water, growing plants, and human anatomy. The series of sketches on this sheet show Leonardo exploring a theme that would later emerge as the Virgin of the Rocks, in which the Virgin kneels over the infant Jesus, raising her right hand in benediction. Artist: LEONARDO da Vinci Painting Title: Studies for a Nativity , 1451-1500 Painting Style: Italian , graphics Type: study