The artwork “Bust of a man in profile with measurements and notes” is a drawing attributed to Leonardo da Vinci, believed to have been created around 1490 in Milan, Italy. Executed with ink on paper, this piece exemplifies the High Renaissance art movement, known for its focus on realism and anatomical precision. The genre of this work is design, with its utilitarian approach featuring meticulous detail and annotations.
The artwork presents the profile of a man with distinct Renaissance features, surrounded by geometrical lines and measurements that indicate an exploratory process of understanding human proportions. Leonardo’s attention to detail is apparent, with each facial feature delineated with precision. Lines extend from various points on the man’s profile, suggesting that Leonardo was not only interested in the aesthetic rendering of his subject but also in the empirical study of human anatomy, a hallmark of his expansive curiosity. The surface is adorned with handwritten notes, likely offering insights or reflections pertinent to the drawing. Spilled ink marks and the paper’s aging suggest that the drawing was not only a work of art but also a document of Leonardo’s investigative processes. Leonardo da Vinci’s relentless pursuit of knowledge and mastery over form is encapsulated in this intimate glimpse into his artistic and scientific inquiries.
