Virgin of the Rocks
c. 1491 and c. 1499 and 1506-1508
Leonardo da Vinci painted this mysterious, moody scene twice, and this is the second version, now hanging in London's National Gallery. The Virgin Mary, baby Jesus, young John the Baptist, and an angel are huddled in a rocky grotto filled with strange plants and jagged cliffs. Unlike the first version in the Louvre, this one features halos and an angel who isn't pointing, likely added to satisfy the church's strict rules about religious imagery. Leonardo's signature 'sfumato' technique makes the figures look like they're emerging from the shadows, creating a dreamlike, almost eerie atmosphere that feels more like a fantasy landscape than a traditional holy scene.
- Technique
- Oil on panel
Location: National Gallery, London