When one thinks of Leonardo da Vinci, his masterpieces “Mona Lisa” and “The Last Supper’ come to mind. But did you know that the Italian Renaissance genius is equally famous for a tiny drawing of a bear’s head? Or that it was recently sold for a record amount?
Titled “Head of a Bear, the painting is just 2.75 inches by 2.75 inches, which is roughly the size of a postal stamp. The teeny-tiny painting created a giant record by getting a bid of $12.1m at an auction in London, surpassing the previous record set by the “Horse and Rider”, which sold for $11.5m in 2001.
So what makes this tiny sketch so speciál? Well, the answer lies in the technique. The painting is 500 years old and is rendered in silverpoint.
What is silverpoint?
This is an extremely fine technique that has no room for error. It involves applying a silver stick or a stylus to a specially prepared paper. In this technique, even the minutest flaw can leave a mark and ruin the painting. Imagine the amount of control and perfection required!
What makes it even more interesting is that the initial marks of silverpoint appear grey, but when exposed to air, they gradually change to a warm brown tone. This is because of the process of oxidation and it can take up to several months. The speed of oxidation varies according to the level of pollution in the air.
Another reason that makes the painting precious is its subject. Although da Vinci was interested in nature and animals, he rarely reproduced them on paper. He usually created portraits, landscapes, and works revolving around religious themes.
Provenance
Also, “Head of a Bear’ is one of the few privately owned paintings of da Vinci. The sketch previously belonged to British painter and collector Sir Thomas Lawrence, before being sold at Christie’s in 1860 for £2.50.
Backstory Born in 1452, da Vinci is known for his paintings and inventions. He dedicated his time to science, math, architecture, design, engineering, geology, cartography, sculpting and drawing. His artwork continues to fetch astronomical sums.
OH REALLY?
- Researchers have identified 14 descendants of da Vinci. Decades-long research has revealed that his relatives continue to live in Tuscany. The scientists are hoping to find answers regarding his genius by studying da Vinci’s geneology.
- In 2017, a 500-year-old painting of the Christ believed to have been painted by da Vinci sold in New York for a record $450m. Known as Salvator Mundi (Saviour of the World), the sale represented the highest auction price for any work of art.
- Last year, an online bidder paid $98,000 to attend the annual examination of the “Mona Lisa”, which is when the Louvre museum in Paris takes the painting out of its case for inspection.
Picture Credit : Google
