Studies of an infant
Metalpoint, pen and ink on paper, 17.1 x 21.8 cm, by Leonardo da Vinci, c. 1490–92
Royal Collection Trust, London

This drawing, likely created during his time in Milan in the late 1480s, features a collection of detailed studies focused on a naked baby, particularly its legs. The drawing, executed with faint metalpoint lines on a pale pink background, displays the baby in various poses: one sucking its fingers, another raising a hand in blessing. This sheet exemplifies da Vinci's dedication to life drawing as a method for artistic exploration and development. While some of the studies might have connections to his Madonna and Child compositions, as shown in the depiction of a healthy, chubby baby, a common motif in 15th-century Italian paintings, the drawing primarily served as a tool for capturing natural forms and experimenting with ideas. This is evident in how da Vinci filled the page with spontaneous sketches, focusing on individual limbs and capturing the baby's natural movements. The emphasis on life drawing reflected a broader artistic trend during the Renaissance, fuelled by the increased availability of paper due to the boom in book printing. This shift allowed artists like da Vinci to move away from the traditional focus on craftsmanlike execution and explore their own artistic vision. Interestingly, the confident lines employed in the drawing suggest a later date than initially thought, possibly just before da Vinci abandoned metalpoint altogether in the early 1490s. Additionally, while some of the limb details closely resemble those of the Christ Child in da Vinci's Benois Madonna, a painting likely executed years before this drawing, it highlights his tendency to revisit and adapt motifs throughout his career, even across decades.

Provenance
Francesco Melzi
Pompeo Leoni, c. 1582-90
Thomas Howard, 14th Earl of Arundel, by 1630
Probably Charles II, King of Great Britain
Royal Collection, by 1690

Source: The Royal Collection, 2023.