Most of the paintings that we see and know of Leonardo da Vinci are usually of an older man with a long white beard. We do not know if there was a painting of Leonardo da Vinci when he was young.
There is a painting by Giovanni Cariani (c. 1490-1547) at the National Gallery of Art, Washington DC, called Portrait of Man With a Dog (1520) that some people have said is a painting of the younger Leonardo. Leonardo would have already been dead by the time this painting was completed. There is also a little-known artwork called Romanzo di Paolo e Daria by Gaspare Visconti that some feel is making fun of Leonardo da Vinci and his red hair.
Table of Contents
- Leonardo da Vinci – Physical Characteristics
- Possible Portraits of Young Leonardo da Vinci
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Related Questions
Leonardo da Vinci – Physical Characteristics
We do not have a lot of information bout Leonardo da Vinci’s life, including his younger days. Even though Leonardo left us with a lot of his writings, he did not leave us with a lot of his personal beliefs, feelings, or thoughts.
We do not record how he thought about love, life, God, sexuality, and marriage. We know he was never married and had no children. There is a record of him being accused of sodomy.
We also do not have any known portraits of him in his younger days. Most of the portraits we have are of him in his older days.
But here are some of the physical characteristics that we do know about Leonardo da Vinci:
- Tall – Leonardo was said to be tall for his time. He was about 5’ 7” based on the length of his purported skeleton. That would have been considered tall for his time.
- Athletic – He was also described as having a muscular physique. He was known to have great strength and dexterity.
- Handsome – Records of people who spoke about him talk about a man considered to be very striking and attractive.
- Clothing – He was known to wear bright-colored clothing. When most men wore long garments, he was known to prefer short tunics as worn by much younger men.
- Hair – We know he had a long beard and hair. In a time when many men cut their hair, he did not and kept it long and flowing. Some people have said he could have red hair, but we are not sure about his hair color.
Vasari, who knew Leonardo and wrote about him, said this about Leonardo da Vinci’s physical characteristics:
“This was seen by all mankind in Leonardo da Vinci, in whom, besides a beauty of body never sufficiently extolled, there was an infinite grace in all his actions; and so great was his genius, and such its growth, that to whatever difficulties he turned his mind, he solved them with ease. In him was great bodily strength, joined to dexterity, with a spirit and courage ever royal and magnanimous; and the fame of his name so increased, that not only in his lifetime was he held in esteem, but his reputation became even greater among posterity after his death.”
Giorgio Vasari – Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors and Architects
We can see from this description that Leonardo da Vinci was considered very handsome during his lifetime.
Possible Portraits of Young Leonardo da Vinci
When we talk about the portraits of the young Leonardo da Vinci, there are generally two referred to, i.e., Gaspare Viscount’s Romanazo di Pacio e Darai and Portrait of Man With Dog by Giovanni Cariani.
All these possible portraits have not been 100% verified; we feel the one by Visconti may be the more real account than Carani.
Romanzo di Paolo e Daria (1495) By Gaspare Visconti (1461-1499)
Leonardo was said to be a handsome and extraordinary genius. But recently, another view has surfaced with the painting of Romanzo di Paolo e Daria by Gaspare Visconti.
The other side of the story is that other artists teased Leonardo for having red hair and his unconventional sexuality (many think he was gay as he was denounced for sodomy).
The Author Simon Hewitt unearthed an image held in Germany that is a kind of “comic strip” design made in 1495 that many historians believed was produced to make fun of Leonardo.
In one of the images, the redhead cleric is left-handed; the cleric is said to represent Leonardo da Vinci. Also at his feet is a wooden lyre; the lyre was Leonardo da Vinci’s father’s instrument.
There is also a paper at the table where young Leonardo is standing; this was said to symbolize the courts denouncing Leonardo for sodomy.
Being red-headed in 15th-century Milan was very rare, and people with red hair were almost thought to be freaks. Leonardo’s hair color and sexual tendencies would be one of the reasons they were mocking him.
There is a very good chance that this painting could be of Leonardo. But he would not have sat for this painting, so it is not meant to be an exact likeness. Visconti was trying to make fun of Leonardo in this artwork and not paint a portrait of him.
Portrait of Man With Dog, (c.1520) By Giovanni Cariani
In a painting at the National Gallery of Art in Washington DC entitled Portrait of Man with Dog (c.1520) by the Venetian Cariani, a young man is holding a small dog; many feel this painting looks a lot like Leonardo da Vinci in his younger days.
People on the internet have said that they believe this painting to be painted of a younger Leonardo da Vinci. The National Gallery of Art in Washington DC does not attribute this painting to be of Leonardo Da Vinci in his younger days.
I think this painting is less likely to be of Leonardo than the painting by Visconti. It was painted in 1520, and Leonardo passed away in 1519; there is no way he sat for this painting.
If Leonardo did have red hair, then there is no way this can be correct, as this man had dark hair. In his later years, we know he let his hair grow out, and most paintings seem to show him as entirely white.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there any known painting of Leonardo da Vinci when he was young?
Despite the numerous paintings of an older Leonardo da Vinci, there is uncertainty about whether any authentic artwork depicting him in his youth exists.
Are there claims that Giovanni Cariani’s “Portrait of Man With a Dog” is a young Leonardo da Vinci?
Some individuals suggest that the painting by Giovanni Cariani, titled “Portrait of Man With a Dog” (1520), resembles a younger Leonardo da Vinci, although Leonardo had already passed away by the time this artwork was completed.
Why do some people believe the young Leonardo da Vinci is portrayed in Giovanni Cariani’s painting?
Certain features in Giovanni Cariani’s painting, such as facial characteristics, have led some to speculate that it might be a portrayal of a younger Leonardo da Vinci, despite the lack of concrete evidence.
Is Gaspare Visconti’s “Romanzo di Paolo e Daria” associated with Leonardo da Vinci’s appearance?
Gaspare Visconti’s artwork “Romanzo di Paolo e Daria” is not explicitly linked to Leonardo da Vinci’s appearance, but some believe it might mock him, particularly noting the depiction of red hair which Leonardo was said to have had.
Is there scholarly consensus on the identity of the person in Giovanni Cariani’s painting?
Scholars do not universally agree on the identity of the person in Giovanni Cariani’s “Portrait of Man With a Dog,” and the interpretation that it represents a young Leonardo da Vinci is a matter of debate.
Are there other artworks thought to represent a young Leonardo da Vinci?
Apart from Giovanni Cariani’s painting, there is a scarcity of artworks specifically attributed to portraying a young Leonardo da Vinci, contributing to the mystery surrounding his youthful appearance.
What evidence supports or challenges the claim that the young Leonardo is in Giovanni Cariani’s painting?
The claim is largely speculative, lacking concrete evidence. Critics argue that attributing the figure in the painting to Leonardo da Vinci is based on subjective interpretation rather than historical verification.
Why is Leonardo da Vinci commonly depicted as an older man in paintings?
The prevalent portrayal of Leonardo as an older man with a long white beard is likely influenced by the limited availability of authentic references and the idealization of the artist in later periods.
How do art historians approach the question of young Leonardo da Vinci representations?
Art historians approach the issue with caution, relying on available historical records, artistic styles, and contextual evidence to assess claims regarding paintings of a young Leonardo da Vinci.
Are there ongoing efforts to uncover or verify paintings of a young Leonardo da Vinci?
The search for representations of a young Leonardo da Vinci continues, with art historians and researchers exploring archives and collections in the hopes of discovering previously overlooked artworks that might provide insights into his youthful appearance.
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Related Questions
How Was Leonardo da Vinci Able To Master So Many Different Professions?
Leonardo da Vinci is a man known to have had many different titles and professions during his lifetime. He was able to master this profession because he was a genius. But more than just being a genius, Leonardo is also self-educating and never stops learning. He had an insatiable amount of curiosity about all kinds of subjects.
By clicking here, you can learn more by reading How Was Leonardo da Vinci Able To Master So Many Different Professions?.
What Can We Learn From Leonardo Da Vinci?
Leonardo da Vinci was a philosopher; being a philosopher means that you want to seek wisdom. Leonardo was one person who tried to seek knowledge or enlightenment in his life. Leonardo was an active observer and learner of the human body, human behavior, and nature.
By clicking here, you can learn more by reading What Can We Learn From Leonardo Da Vinci?.
Was Leonardo da Vinci A Philosopher?
Leonardo da Vinci was a philosopher; being a philosopher means that you want to seek wisdom. Leonardo was one person who wanted to seek wisdom or enlightenment in his life. Leonardo was an active observer and learner of the human body, human behavior, and nature.
By clicking here, you can learn more by reading Was Leonardo da Vinci A Philosopher?.
