Discussion of Virgin of the Rocks (Louvre) by Leonardo da Vinci

Virgin of the Rocks by Leonardo da Vinci in the Louvre

4/12/2019

Where? First floor, room 710 of the Denon wing in the Louvre
When? 1483-1486
Commissioned by? Prior Bartolomeo Scorlione and the Confraternity for the Chapel of the Confraternity of the Immaculate Conception in the church of San Francesco Maggiore in Milan.

What do you see? The Virgin Mary, the children Jesus and John the Baptist, and an angel are pictured in a triangular composition in a rocky environment. The Virgin Mary sits on the ground, which is referred to as the Madonna of Humility. She is the center of attention in this painting. The right hand of Mary is on the shoulder of John the Baptist (who is the child on the left). The left hand of Mary is right above the head of Jesus, which can be interpreted as a protective gesture.

John the Baptist is folding his hands and is praying towards Jesus. At the same time, Jesus, who is directly to the left of the angel, is raising his right hand to bless John the Baptist. The angel most likely represents the Archangel Gabriel, even though the angel looks quite feminine (the painting of androgynous figures was a trademark of Leonardo da Vinci). The angel is pointing towards John the Baptist.

In the background you can see the rocky grotto and a river, most likely inspired by the Dolomite Mountains, which are to the northeast of Milan. In the foreground and in the grotto various flowers and plants are depicted (including irises, lilies, and ivy). The painting has been finished using the sfumato technique, the smoky/hazy effects, which creates a somewhat magical atmosphere.

Backstory: The commissioner of this painting wanted Leonardo da Vinci to paint the Immaculate Conception (a Catholic dogma that Mary was born without sin) to serve as the center of an altarpiece for the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception. This chapel is part of the Saint Francesco Grande church in Milan, and the chapel was founded before 1335 by Beatrice d’Este, who was the wife of Galleazzo I, the Duke of Milan.

On the left and right of this painting would be two paintings of angels playing a musical instrument to complete the altarpiece. On the left is An Angel in Green with a Vielle painted by an associate of Leonardo, possibly Francesco Napoletano. On the right is An Angel in Red with a Lute by Giovanni Ambrogio de Predis. The Virgin of the Rocks in the Louvre is thought to be painted entirely by Leonardo da Vinci, which is not always the case for paintings of Leonardo.

An Angel in Green with a Vielle

An Angel in Red with a Lute

Symbolism: This work contains several symbolic references:

The rocks and caves represent sanctuary.
The rocks also refer to Jesus, who is often called the rock of the Christian religion.
The flowers and plants are carefully chosen. For example, the palm leaves, which can be seen behind the head of John the Baptist, are a symbol of Mary and a symbol of the victory of Jesus over earthly temptations.
The angel is identified based on his wings.
Mary is directly visible by her blue garments.

This painting is also one of the first known paintings in which the halos are left out. The halos were used in the Middle Ages to indicate that somebody was holy or sacred but were in contrast to the realistic painting style of the Renaissance.

What is sfumato? Sfumato comes from the Italian sfumare, which means ‘to evaporate like smoke’ and Leonardo da Vinci famously used the sfumato technique to create the atmosphere in his paintings. Leonardo applied the sfumato technique when the painting was almost finished by applying a coat of a mix of varnish and black pigment to create a hazy/smoky effect.

Who is Leonardo da Vinci? Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) was born in the Italian village of Anchiano, which was very close to Vinci, which is where he got his name from. He was an architect, astronomer, engineer, inventor, mathematician, musician, painter, writer, and more. Leonardo da Vinci is known to be one of the biggest multi-talented people that the world has ever seen.

Leonardo was notorious for being substantially late in delivering his paintings and was not afraid to abandon projects halfway. Leonardo has created a few famous portraits, including Ginevra de' Benci in the National Gallery of Art and the Mona Lisa in the Louvre.

Ginevra de' Benci by Leonardo da Vinci

Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci

Fun fact: Interestingly, there are two versions of this famous painting. The other version of The Virgin of the Rocks is in the National Gallery in London. The version in the Louvre was the first to be completed and is much less conventional.

For example, the version in the National Gallery contains halos on top of the heads of John the Baptist, Jesus, and Mary, and John the Baptist is carrying a cross with him (these elements are not present in the version in the Louvre). You can also see a clear difference in the face of Jesus. Also, in the National Gallery version of the painting, the angel is not pointing at John the Baptist and seems to gaze into the distance (as if the angel is dreaming/imagining this scene, instead of participating in it).

The reason that there are two versions of this painting is that the Confraternity rejected the first version of Leonardo. It was not traditional enough (for example, no halos and a lack of symbolism) and thus did not suit the purpose of representing the dogma of the Immaculate Conception (which was the sole purpose of the Confraternity).

Leonardo da Vinci considered the Louvre version of the painting a real masterpiece in which he could perfectly express his artistic ideas. After the Louvre-version of the painting was rejected, Leonardo created another version of this painting (the version in the National Gallery in London), which included all elements that the Confraternity asked for.

Interested in a Copy for Yourself? Poster or canvas.

Virgin of the Rocks by Leonardo da Vinci in the National Gallery

Written by Eelco Kappe

References:

19 Comments

James Dixon

11/6/2018 01:28:04 pm

The three part Biblical story of the Virgin of the Rocks is the authentication of the three.
The first is that of the moss and fern in the fullness of life. Then second the Cheramy of the events portrayed then and now of the example given.
While the third representation is as the blooming of the rod of Aaron.
Yet this is a three part story which Leonardo has sent forward in time for those who would understand the truths presented upon his works.
The story line upon all his authentic works acts as an authentication, more so than any signature could, for signatures are often forged.
His concepts are of a universal understand of our walks in this life.

Jeanette Leuers

10/23/2019 02:26:15 am

I'm searching for comments about the pointing angel, who gazes in a distracted way..away from the group to a space behind Jesus, who himself, has inexplicably pale blonde curls.
This archangel appears to me, to be laughing to himself, while making that quite fierce gesture with his pointing hand. I have never seen such a gesture in any other painting of this kind and cannot accept that Leonardo did not intend to convey quite a clear impression, in depicting it. What is Leonardo and his angel..saying, through this figure, in this painting?

Eelco Kappe

10/23/2019 03:49:01 pm

Hi Jeanette,

This is a great question and I don't have a perfect answer for you. The first thing that I can say is that it was clearly intentional by Da Vinci as there is a drawing available of the angel's pointing hand: https://www.rct.uk/collection/912520/the-pointing-hand-of-the-angel-in-the-virgin-of-the-rocks.

Second, most sources and my own interpretation is that the angel points at Saint John the Baptist. Just like Jesus' blessing is aimed at Saint John. The message here may be that before Jesus task in the world begins, the ball is first in Saint John's court.

Third, as for the direction of the gaze and the mysterious expression of the angel, I can only speculate. Some say that the angel looks at Jesus. At least that this was Da Vinci's intention. It is hard to believe that Da Vinci could not paint this properly, but he was still young when he made this painting and there are a couple of other paintings by him with some mistakes in perspective, so we cannot completely exclude this. Or the angel is staring at the viewer to make us part of the painting and emphasize the important of the message in it. As for the expression, hard to say, but Da Vinci is quite famous for creating mysterious and ambiguous expressions (think, Mona Lisa).

Hope that helps a little..

11/10/2019 07:38:51 am

EELCO!
THANK YOU! for your reply.
I felt sure Leonardo is still chuckling to himself behind a cloud somewhere, Imagine his spirit fun loving/mischievous, he cared enough to feel deeply about so many aspects of life of his time, but was wise and clever enough to disassociate, to be the observer, and not to be brought down by the often murderously cruel responses to his life and ideas. He was gay, a vegetarian and a heretic? Among other things I havnt heard about, I think these three are recognized as ,"real"? So my conclusion after all, with regard to the pointing angel ..thinking private angel thoughts....that the angel points to John the Baptist, because Leonardo held the Saint John heresy quite close to his heart? He knew very well how fiercely his waiting clients would respond to having Saint John raised high above Jesus, as the true Messiah, if his painting depicted the boys in such a light, I believe he could have been burnt at the stake for stating such a belief. So, cheeky fellow that he was..he got the angel to TELL! AND to look behind Jesus back, with a slight angel's grin...what a wonderful way to declare his secret! He knew he could be put to death for such a naughty idea! He didn't care, he told the whole world, in a beautifully secret way. As the angel's joke! I love it!! I feel sure that's WHY!! WHY the pointing finger, why the indirect gaze and hint of a smile! Doesn't the whole thing make perfect sense!!? You know he was actually sentenced to be burnt to death at least once, for Bering gay, but the king of France? Or maybe the Pope? Someronr spokes and defended him.
I don't think he was at all scared. I think he must have laughed his socks off! I think he was a comedian as well as top inventor and artist..That's my story, my explanation! I think I can see Leonardo's smile.

Shelby Smith

11/10/2019 05:08:23 am

Hi, does anyone here want to do a report on the symbolism of Virgin of the Rocks!!

11/10/2019 07:40:40 am

I think the whole thing was Leonardo's naughty joke. I just wrote about it.

11/11/2019 12:28:03 pm

Your explanation is interesting! There is plenty of evidence that Da Vinci was not always serious and liked a joke. His notebooks contain several puns and rebuses as well as some less serious notes. So, making a joke in his paintings is not out of the question.

Though, you correctly mention that these paintings had a serious audience -- in this case, the painting was intended for a church -- and that jokes about religion may result in serious repercussions. It may have been one of the reasons why the painting was rejected by the church and he had to create the more conventional London version.

11/11/2019 12:32:52 pm

Hi Shelby,

Are you interested in specific symbols? Some elements like the cave, the flowers, and the angel are relatively straightforward to interpret as they were used by many artists during that time (and were a way of communicating a story to the common people), while other elements in Da Vinci's paintings are a bit more mysterious.

Cheers, Eelco

11/13/2019 06:59:47 pm

Hi Eelco,

Sorry for this late response and thank you for offering your help. Instead of speaking of individual symbols, what would you consider to be the overall meaning or explanation of this piece.

Thanks, Shelby

11/15/2019 12:37:03 pm

Hi Shelby,

To understand the broader meaning of this work, it is good to know that it was commissioned for the chapel of the Confraternity of the Immaculate Conception of the San Francesco Maggiore church in Milan. Immaculate conception means that Mary was without sins from her birth and throughout her life, which allowed her to give birth to Jesus who was also without sins.

The commissioner of this painting thus wanted a painting that supported this idea that Mary was without sins. One way to do that was to show Mary in a loving and humble way (Madonna of Humility), and what better way to do this than to show her together with two of the most important people in Catholicism, the young Jesus and Saint John the Baptist.

The specific symbolic elements in this painting are subsequently chosen to develop a more specific story, but the overall idea of showing these three central people in Catholicism (Jesus, Mary, and Saint John the Baptist) is the most important.

I hope that make some sense.

Carol Morse

3/30/2020 08:08:46 pm

Interesting comments to read about these two paintings! I just finished a project on The Last Supper and The Madonna of the Rocks was one to look at re symbolism used. Leonardo was very aware of Christian symbolism and according to a couple of sources, rocks also represent "The Lord, his solidity, firmness and strength". The grotto surrounds the threesome.
The angel points at Jesus as she looks at John the Baptist in the first rendition. Perhaps she is indicating the protective relationship that John would share with Jesus? Water with cleansing properties refers to purity and innocence, baptism, washing away sins of the past and prepares for the last Judgement. John the Baptist baptized Jesus and his followers.
Blue symbolizes heaven, spiritual love , truth, constancy and fidelity. It is also the color that represents Mary.
The members of the Confraternity and the public would have recognized all the symbols in a way we don't now.
Leonardo gave reign to his own creativity in both these paintings and I don't think there is any doubt that he was expressing the relatively new humanity in these paintings. We see the characters as real human beings not just representations of the biblical world. How wonderful they are!

3/31/2020 09:04:04 am

Thanks for this wonderful explanation! Yes, the understanding of the symbols was much better back then than it is nowadays.

And because the first elaborate writings about art history only came later in the 16th century, it remains sometimes guessing for us what the intentions of the artist were.

I would be interested to hear more about your findings on The Last Supper. If interested to share, just send me a message via the "About Us" tab on this site.

Thanks! Eelco

3/31/2020 02:40:23 pm

Hi Eelco, I am not sure how much detail you would like but will try to give you a meaningful précis!
Leonardo had his own studio in Florence in 1478, when he was 26 years old, following his apprenticeship with Verrochio. In the early 1480's, Lorenzo di Medici had not chosen him to go to Rome to help with projects there because he had little experience with fresco painting. Instead he suggested Leonardo should try to get a job in Milan with Lodovico Sforza. He moved there in 1482 and stayed until 1499 when Duke Lodovico fell from power. He had expected to design and build great machines of war but instead, for some years, he oversaw and was responsible for the great parties, parades that were part of Ludovico's show of power and wealth. Finally in 1494 or 95, he commissioned The Last Supper for the Dominican monk's refectory in Santa Maria delle Grazie Church. This fresco is one reason why this amazing man has remained in the minds and hearts of people for centuries.
The mural is 460 cm x 880 cm or 15 feet by 29feet. (Google his sketches for the mural and see how it began and some of the changes he made as he went along. Judas started out on the opposite side of the table as was traditional but Leonardo later, placed him with the other apostles.)
Do a review of the apostles... it helped me see the placement of each, the colors he chose for each, their attributes.
Heavenly references: The 12 apostles are arranged in 4 groups of 3--reference the Holy Trinity in Catholic art. An equilateral triangle is formed by Christ's body. (Leonardo's measurements were vert precise.). The arching pediment, if completed, would form a circle, the idealfeometricforms refer to the Renaissance interest in Neo-Platonism. Ie geometry used by the Greeks to express HEAVENLY PERFECTION used but Leo ardo to celebrate Christ as the embodiment of heaven on earth.
Another heavenly reference is the verdant landscape behind, that represents Paradise on,y reached through Christ. And the table itself, can be seen as a barrier to separate the spiritual real. from the viewer's earthly realm.
Eelco, this is from various books, articles etc that I put together. There are many more things in the fresco to discuss if you want me to continue. It is one of the most interesting pieces of art I have ever studied. It made me understand why he was a genius!
Carol

Connor

4/26/2020 11:27:27 pm

hey. im currently writing a essay on how The Virgin of the Rocks relates to the epoch or movement in which it was created?
i also have to make sure i address the socio-historical context of the period and the formal qualities of the work.
and was wondering if anybody would be able to help me out on this even little tip or sources to look at would help so much.
Thank you :)

4/27/2020 09:18:43 am

Hi Connor,

One helpful thing to do is to compare the painting with other works painted during those years. Think about Botticelli and Piero di Cosimo. And compare it with the other works by Da Vinci this decade.

This is still painted before the High Renaissance, though Da Vinci was quite innovative and several elements are already present that would mark the High Renaissance.

One way to look for reliable sources is to check the online entry about the painting on the museum website and check the references that they mention.

Hope that helps a little bit!

Cheers, Eelco

4/27/2020 09:53:00 pm

thank you very much :) Eelco

4/27/2020 11:35:17 am

Hi Connor! You have chosen very interesting paintings to discuss in your essay. You might want to take a look at the Confraternity of the Immaculate Conception. These groups of men supported the chapels/churches that were being built at the time. They each celebrated and supported the beliefs of the differing religious orders in this era. They accounted for a large part of male society and they often commissioned and paid for church decorations. In that sense, they were very powerful groups. In many cases, if they didn’t like a painting, it would be rejected and another would take its place, thus, they controlled what people saw and believed, in the churches they supported. Our art came from religion so it was important what was seen by the people. Few commoners could read so pictures/paintings told them the biblical stories.
The confraternity commissioned the painting to hang on the Feast Day for the Immaculate Conception 7 months after the commission was signed. I don’t think it was done on time...but Leonardo was not known for his promptness!
You might also want to look at the Sforza family as Ludovico became involved with the payments or lack there of between the confraternity, Leonardo and others involved in the payments. These dealings did not always go easily and reflect the various financial difficulties that went along with commissioned paintings.
It is believed the first painting was too secular for the people in the confraternity. They were used to much more somber compositions. The cherubic children in a light almost happy atmosphere probably didn’t reflect the coming crucifixion and the death and sacrifices ahead in a traditional manner. The second version, with the parlor of the skin would have been more representative and symbolic of the scene indicating the death to come.
Look for articles that discuss society around the 1400’s...May be helpful to put the artistic world in its context.
Good luck with your essay. You have much to discuss. Ross King is a good reference.
Carol

ella

6/14/2022 08:02:37 pm

Hi! I need to write about the way Madona of the Rocks reflects the ideas and/or influence of time and place. I am writing an essay on this and it would really help if this could be answered. In shorter words, the question is the beliefs behind the artwork.

Jan Kokes

6/15/2022 09:20:41 am

I can't believe I haven't commented here yet.
If I look at the 1483 commission description I can't help thinking Virgin of the Rocks is not the painting commissioned!

Item 1

"Item [1]: First, we wish that the whole altarpiece, namely the narrative reliefs and carvings with the figures, except for their faces, everything should be done in fine gold to the value of 3 lire 10 soldi."
Item 2

"Item [2]: Our Lady in the middle to have her outer cloak of gold and ultramarine blue brocade."
Item 3

"Item [3]: Her dress to be of gold and crimson lake brocade, painted in oils."
Item 4

"Item [4]: The lining of her cloak to be gold and green brocade, painted in oils."
Item 8

"Item [8]: The mountains and stones to be worked in oils of different colours."
Item 10

"Item [10]: In all the other narratives where Our Lady appears she should be adorned as she is in the middle; and the other unpainted figures should be decorated in different colours, in the Greek or modern manner to achieve complete perfection, and thus also the buildings, mountains, soffits, and grounds of the said narratives; and everything to be done in oil, and any carvings that are not right to be repaired."
Item 12

"Item [12]: The cornices, pilasters, capitals and all the carving to be gilded as stated above, with no colour in the centre."
Item 13

"Item [13]: The panel in the middle to be painted on a flat surface with Our Lady and her Son and the angels, done in oil to perfection, with those two prophets painted on flat surfaces with fine colours as stated above."
Item 15

"Item [15]: All the faces, hands and legs that are bare should be painted in oil to perfection.

The real commission, complete with the frame it is suppossed to have and matching the description, from right time and right place is here: https://www.esbirky.cz/predmet/3477373?searchParams=%7B%22filter%22%3A%7B%22institution%22%3A%5B%2217599%22%5D%2C%22keywords%22%3A%5B%22sv.%22%5D%7D%2C%22order%22%3A%22relevance%22%2C%22itemsPerPage%22%3A96%2C%22path%22%3A%22eJwljEEOwiAURK%5C%2FSsOjKSLtQgwnxCl11Iy5I%2BQqBfhKgGGK8uxRXk5mXN%5C%2FcPQbkCuZJZbMPwVNGBsqULZdFuX4Bp3%2Bk6tjJiC0UOxBm0VRN0hzIJ2hQQNJf%5C%2Fx81gTCZtyXjk4%2BXEWG%2BhvH1Qkcd87E2CNU4QJvkCzs59BRB4AAdZ4gLk%2B%5C%2FgBzSU3iQ%3D%3D%22%7D&sequencePointer=84

Virgin of the Rocks by Leonardo da Vinci in the Louvre

Leave a Reply.

Categories

Home

Blog

BOOKS

Contact