How to find the true face of Leonardo - Siegfried Woldhek

TL;DR

After thoroughly analyzing over 700 of Leonardo Da Vinci's drawings, three portraits emerge as potential self-portraits, each depicting a face with striking similarities, ultimately linking them to the only accepted image of Leonardo from his youth.

Transcript

[Applause] good morning let's look for a minute at the greatest icon of all Leonardo da Vinci we're all familiar with his fantastic work his drawings his paintings his inventions his writings but we do not know his face thousands of books have been written about him but there's controversy and it remains about his looks even this well-known portrai... Read More

Key Insights

• 🙂 Leonardo Da Vinci's appearance has been a subject of controversy among historians, but a new analysis sheds light on potential self-portraits that resemble him.
• 🤳 By narrowing down the criteria to three portraits from over 700 drawings, experts have discovered striking similarities in facial features, suggesting a self-portrait depiction.
• 🤕 The timing and order of the portraits align with Leonardo's age at the time they were made, further strengthening the case for their authenticity.
• 😀 Comparisons between the accepted image of Leonardo as a youth and the potential self-portraits confirm a connection, finally giving the iconic artist a face.
• 🤳 This discovery offers a fresh perspective on Leonardo's artistic process and self-perception, adding depth to our understanding of his genius.
• 👨‍🔬 The revelation highlights the importance and impact of research and analysis in uncovering previously unknown aspects of historical figures.
• 😀 Leonardo's ability to capture realistic details in his works, such as human anatomy and nature, further emphasizes his attention to detail in depicting faces.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why is there controversy regarding Leonardo Da Vinci's appearance?

Many historians disagree on the accepted image of Leonardo, leading to uncertainty surrounding his true looks. The lack of self-portraits by Leonardo himself adds to the mystery.

Q: How were the potential self-portraits of Leonardo identified from his drawings?

The analysis focused on male portraits drawn in three-quarter profiles, with sufficient detail and a resemblance to Leonardo's contemporaries' descriptions of him being handsome.

Q: Why do the three portraits bear striking similarities?

When zoomed in on these portraits, they all share distinct facial features like a broad forehead, horizontal eyebrows, a long nose, curved lips, and a well-developed chin, indicating a strong possibility of depicting Leonardo.

Q: How is the connection to Leonardo confirmed?

The only accepted image of Leonardo, a statue of him posing as a boy, serves as a reference. When comparing the features of the statue to the musician portrait, they align, solidifying the identity of the portrayed individual.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The true face of Leonardo Da Vinci has remained mysterious, despite his extensive body of work.

• After studying over 700 of his drawings, three portraits are identified as potential self-portraits due to their characteristics and timing.

• By comparing these portraits with the only accepted image of Leonardo from his youth, a connection is made, suggesting these portraits indeed depict the iconic artist.