Why it matters
Probably the first painting Leonardo made independently of his master Verrocchio, the Benois Madonna shows a smiling young Virgin offering the Christ Child a flower, which he studies intently. It became one of Leonardo's most popular works and was copied by young painters, including Raphael.
Did you know?
- It was one of two Madonnas Leonardo began in October 1478.
- For centuries it was presumed lost, found and lost again.
- It is named after the architect Leon Benois, whose wife's family owned it.
Based on the Wikipedia article Benois Madonna (CC BY-SA 4.0).
