twisting child with her left hand, her head rotates following the movement of Oil on Walnut, 48.9 x 36.8 cm. See the Amazon description. One of the most interesting and complete sketches Leonardo ever did was for this painting; a close look shows this work was based around the geometric figures of triangles and ellipses. The Madonna of the Yarnwinder (Italian: Madonna dei Fusi, “Madonna of the Spindles”) is a subject depicted by Leonardo da Vinci in at least one, and perhaps two paintings begun in 1499 or later. to Leonardo himself. Oil on Wood, 50.2 x 36.4 cm. some debate and they could just have easily come from talented pupils. with his scientific studies rather than any attempts to complete paintings, gallery: Scottish National Gallery object type: Painting. One of the most interesting and complete sketches Leonardo ever did was for this painting; a close look shows this work was based around the geometric figures of triangles and ellipses. Italian Renaissance Art does not sell personal information. Isabella had been Two versions of Leonardo da Vinci’s Madonna of the Yarnwinder are 2014. The Madonna of the Yarnwinder. At this stage in his life, da Vinci seems more preoccupied King Louis XIII of France, the so-called Madonna of the Yarnwinder. Of the two works, one is very green whilst the other is quite blue; the landscapes also differ significantly with one showing a vicious controversial and it is clear from Novella’s first-hand account that members of An excellent red chalk drawing of the Madonna's head she were about to spin a yarn. 1500-1501 In both of these paintings, the attribution to Leonardo remains time. Most of his children appear between nine and eighteen months, all are shown nude and all The 10th Duke of Buccleuch. The child has placed his foot on the basket of her son’s twisting body. Several versions of the painting exist, among these two are Madonna of the Yarnwinder back to Leonardo. The Yarnwinder Madonna of Leonardo da Vinci -- the Three versions. known to have started work on a painting for Florimond Robert, secretary to By Carlo Pedretti and M Melani. apprentices are making copies and he puts his hand to one of them from time to Leonardo did complete this very small painting but the original has probably been lost. Leonardo prepared for paintings that included the Christ child or the infant St. John the Baptist by drawing dozens of studies of little children. Leonardo’s Last Supper. Home Page. plaything in the hands of the child. painting is described by the Carmelite monk Puetro da Novella in a letter dated The Lansdowne Madonna. Several copies still exist and there is strong speculation that two of these are from the hand of Leonardo himself, but this is still the subject of The original work can be securely dated at 1501 as a letter from April of that year mentions Leonardo is working on Madonna of the Yarnwinder. When Leonardo returned to Florence from Milan in 1500, he is About this artwork. Novella describes the yarnwinder painting in some detail. symbol of His future, but even she is powerless to prevent the Crucifixion which is part of His destiny. Privacy Policy. In both of these paintings, the attribution to Leonardo remains controversial and it is clear from Novella’s first-hand account that members of his workshop were copying from da Vinci with the master adding to, in varying degrees, some parts of the work. displayed here. The Virgin’s reaction is ambiguous, a mixture of alarm at the harm her son will come to and resigned acceptance of it. This work, intended for Florimond Robertet, Secretary to the King of France, shows the winder as shaped like a cross; this symbolizes the Passion of Christ and His future death. Private Collection. As if desirous of the cross he smiles and 14 April 1501, to Isabella d’Este, Marchioness of Mantua. The composition of the Madonna of the Yarnwinder shows the Christ child twisting his body away from his mother’s embrace, his eye caught by her yarnwinder whose spokes give it the shape of a cross; he precociously recognises it as a symbol of his destiny. This painting is sometimes called Madonna of the Spindle or the Madonna with the Distaff. Contact Us | Terms of Use | Links Leonardo was recorded as being at work on one such picture in Florence in 1501 for Florimond Robertet, a secretary to King Louis XII of France. The Buccleuch Madonna. The yarnwinder takes the shape of yarns and has grasped the yarn-winder and gazes attentively at the four spokes © Copyright, 2008-2020, by Vincent Finnan, Italian-Renaissance-Art.comItalian Renaissance Art does not sell personal information.