The artwork titled “Storm over a landscape” is attributed to the esteemed High Renaissance master Leonardo da Vinci, believed to have been created circa 1500 in Italy. Executed using chalk on paper, the piece is modest in scale, measuring 20 x 15 cm. As a landscape genre artwork, it exemplifies the period’s burgeoning interest in detailed natural scenes and the exploration of atmospheric effects.
Upon examining the artwork, one observes a dramatic and tempestuous landscape that succeeds in capturing the intensity of an approaching storm. The rugged terrain is rendered with a dynamic composition that conveys a sense of movement and chaos typical of a storm’s advance. The use of chalk has allowed for subtle gradations of tone and texture, which suggest swelling clouds and gusting winds sweeping over the land. Meanwhile, fine details hint at the features of the landscape below, possibly including vegetation and geological formations, which are all enveloped in the tumultuous weather scene. Da Vinci’s craftsmanship in this drawing is evident in the way he masterfully manipulates light and shadow to evoke the sublime power of nature.
