The artwork titled “Head of St. Andrew” is a religious painting created by the eminent High Renaissance artist Leonardo da Vinci. Leonardo executed this piece using chalk on paper, a medium that allows for nuanced expression through shading and delicate lines. The original piece is housed in the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Strasbourg in Strasbourg, France, contributing to the rich tapestry of Renaissance art preserved in European collections.
The artwork is a study of the head of St. Andrew, captured in profile. It is drawn with a high level of detail, showcasing the intricate use of chiaroscuro—Leonardo’s signature technique of using strong contrasts between light and dark—to model the saint’s features. The saint is depicted with a contemplative gaze, his eyes looking downward as if in deep thought or prayer. His facial expression is rendered with a solemnity befitting a religious figure, and the lines etched into the face convey a sense of age and wisdom. There are visible signs of the artwork’s age, including some discoloration and markings on the surface, which add to its historical aura. Overall, Leonardo’s expertise in human anatomy and his ability to convey psychological depth is evident in this study, making it a significant work within the artist’s oeuvre and the broader context of religious art during the High Renaissance.
