LEONARDO DA VINCI (VINCI 1452-AMBOISE 1519)
A portrait of a woman in profile
c.1485-90RCIN 912505
Leonardo made this study of a young woman in everyday clothing probably as a finished work for his own satisfaction, rather than as a preparation for a painting. He has attained complete mastery of the metalpoint, with rapid loose strokes to outline the figure, and close hatching to capture subtle effects of light and shade.