The artwork titled “Study on the proportions of head and eyes” is a striking example of Leonardo da Vinci’s meticulous approach to the human form, dating from around 1500 during the High Renaissance period in Italy. Rendered in ink on paper, the sketch spans dimensions of 19.7 by 16 centimeters and resides in the Palazzo Reale di Torino in Turin, Italy. As a representation of the genre of sketch and study, it embodies the empirical inquiry and aesthetic principles that underpin the High Renaissance movement.
This particular study by Leonardo da Vinci explores the intricate anatomy of the human head with a focus on the proportional relationships between different facial features. The primary figure in the artwork is an older male’s face, presented head-on. The face itself has been overlaid with lines in various directions, demarcating the positioning and scale of the eyes, nose, mouth, and ears, which are the subject of Leonardo’s investigative eye. The lines extend beyond the face to delineate the features with mathematical precision, capturing the ratios that Leonardo considered ideal.
To the left of the central face, a separate, detailed study of an eye is included, providing greater insight into Leonardo’s understanding and appreciation of this particular feature. Annotations in what appears to be mirrored writing, a characteristic technique of Leonardo’s notebooks, surround these drawings, likely detailing his observations and thoughts pertaining to the proportions and anatomy at hand.
The precision of line and intense scrutiny applied in this study reveal both Leonardo’s artistic prowess and his scientific inclination, capturing the duality of his genius. The artwork not only serves as a testament to his skill as a draftsman but also as an invaluable document of his relentless pursuit of knowledge and understanding of the human body.
