Da Vinci in Verrocchio’s Studio

Two Angels from The Baptism of Christ (Leonardo's detail, left angel) 1472-75 by Verrocchio Oil on wood Galleria degli Uffizi, Florence

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Verrocchio’s famous art work, The Baptism of Christ, of ca. 1475 (now in the Uffizi) appears to have made quite an impact for young Leonardo da Vinci in the art community. It was da Vinci's work as a mere apprentice painting one of the foreground figures, a blond angel, and the atmospheric landscape background that supposedly prompted Verrocchio to give up painting, angered that he had been surpassed by a child if the tale is true. Da Vinci's backward-turned angel, twisting to face the viewer, caused quite a stir among artists. Da Vinci's device contradicts the traditional composition of forward-facing, horizontal placement of static figures in art up to this time. Verrocchio ’s only signed fine art painting is the Madonna with Child and Saints in Pistoia Cathedral.

Brenda Harness, Art Historian

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