What did Leonardo da Vinci really look like?
For a man who created thousands of sketches, paintings and sculptures - he kept his own appearance mysteriously private.
Watch our full video with history and portrait analysis here, or read down below!
In his youth, Leonardo was described as being a beautiful man, with flowing curly hair and everything meticulously groomed. He was broad shouldered and strong throughout his life. We’re not sure of his hair or eye color - but we can imagine the coloring of a stereotypical northern Italian man.
But we may never know for sure what a young Leonardo looked like, because although certain depictions are rumored to be based on his appearance, there is no hard evidence just yet.
Only a few confirmed images of Leonardo that have survived, all sketched when he was in his mid sixties.
The most accurate depiction of Leonardo da Vinci we have, made by his apprentice Francesco Melzi.
A supposed “self portrait” of Leonardo, although when you look closely at the confirmed image and this self portrait, they look quite different.
A quick sketch by Francesco Melzi that scholars have only recently confirmed
The best image comes from Francesco Melzi, Leonardo’s apprentice and close friend. It’s a sketch in profile, made around 1510. Melzi also made this one (right), a quick sketch on a page that also contains a study of a horse’s leg. Scholars have only recently confirmed this one, by citing his unusual nose shape and beard which wasn’t very fashionable at the time, but Leonardo wore throughout his life.
There’s also another image, said to be a self portrait that Leonardo made of himself.
However, there are some significant differences between these faces. On the surface, they look similar - an older man with a receding hairline, long beard, and Italian profile. But when you look more closely, the supposed self portrait looks much older than the others, despite being made around the same time. His eyebrows are very bushy - contrary to every report that he was meticulous about his personal appearance. And his nose is larger and more downturned.
Now we know that Leonardo often drew in caricature - meaning he exaggerated features on faces - because he loved the life and meaning that’s shown in every detail of the human face.
He would see random people in public who he liked the look of, and make a quick sketch. So it’s possible he exaggerated his features for this self portrait, but I’m not sure. I want to capture both in my re-creations.
So what I’ve done is create a lifelike version from the self portrait first, and then modified the features to match the Melzi sketch.
Even though there’s not much evidence for it, I also made a young version from the possible statue made in his youth, and you can see that one in the video linked below.
