A Bear Walking

Leonardo da Vinci, 1477

MEDIUMsilverpoint on light buff prepared paper
DIMENSIONS4 1/16 x 5 1/4 in. (10.3 x 13.3 cm)
LOCATIONThe Metropolitan Museum of Art

This charming silverpoint sketch by Leonardo da Vinci, created early in his career, showcases his keen eye for observation and his lifelong dedication to capturing the essence of the natural world with remarkable detail and vitality.

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ABOUT THIS WORK

This intimate silverpoint drawing, 'A Bear Walking,' offers a glimpse into Leonardo da Vinci's meticulous observational skills and his profound interest in the natural world. Created around 1477, when Leonardo was in his mid-twenties, it exemplifies his early mastery of drawing as a tool for study and artistic development. While Leonardo is celebrated for iconic paintings like the 'Mona Lisa,' his extensive notebooks, filled with drawings and notes on diverse subjects including anatomy and botany, reveal the breadth of his genius. This sketch, though small, is a testament to the High Renaissance polymath's dedication to capturing life with precision and vitality, a characteristic that underpinned his contributions to European art. It's a prime example of the kind of preparatory and exploratory work that fueled his larger, more ambitious projects, showcasing his commitment to understanding form and movement.

ART MOVEMENTS
Academic artHigh RenaissanceRenaissance
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What to Notice

1

The bear's powerful, lumbering gait, captured with just a few lines.

2

The delicate silverpoint technique, creating subtle, shimmering lines.

3

The texture suggested by the fur, despite the minimal detail.

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Audio Deep Dive

This charming silverpoint sketch by Leonardo da Vinci, created early in his career, showcases his keen eye for observation and his lifelong dedication to captu…

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THE ARTIST
Leonardo da Vinci 1452–1519 · Republic of Florence

Leonardo da Vinci, the ultimate Renaissance polymath, filled notebooks with observations on everything from anatomy to flight, alongside masterpieces like the 'Mona Lisa'.

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