The artwork titled “Drawing of Salai” is attributed to the distinguished artist Leonardo da Vinci, dating from around 1500 during the period of the High Renaissance in Italy. As an exemplar of the genre of sketch and study, this piece is characteristic of the time’s emphasis on humanistic and classical themes, as well as advanced artistic techniques.
The artwork is a profile portrait, executed with delicate yet precise lines that manifest the subtlety of da Vinci’s drawing skills. It depicts a young man with a serene expression, gazing into the distance. The most striking feature is perhaps the way the artist has rendered the subject’s hair: an elaborate cascade of tight curls that demonstrate a meticulous attention to detail and texture. Leonardo’s use of chiaroscuro, the technique of using light and shadow, is evident in the gentle gradations on the face, lending the artwork a three-dimensional quality despite being a monochromatic sketch. Overall, the portrait exemplifies the Renaissance preoccupation with the study of human features, proportion, and the pursuit of beauty.
