Study for the Battle of Anghiari
Venice manuscripts, Venice, Galleria dell’Accademia.
Several European museums and libraries house sheets from Leonardo da Vinci’s manuscripts. In particular, La Galleria dell’Accademia (Venice) is home to the The Vitruvian Man.
Quill and ink, 14.5 x 15.2 cm.
Venise, Galleria dell’ Accademia, inv. 215 A.
These preparatory studies concern a colossal fresco depicting the victory of the Florentines over the Milanese in Anghiari. The composition grows in complexity from left to right. A multitude of sketches depict the fierce fighting, the dust and arrows, but the essential is elsewhere since with the twisting bodies in motion and the intermingling of men and horses, the full fury and inhumanity of war become palpable.
