Ginevra de Benci by Leonardo da Vinci - Essay Example

Ginevra de’ Benci by Leonardo da VinciThis is an analysis of a piece of art from National Gallery of Art. The discussion will focus on analysing piece and form a personal perspective that relates to human values. The essay will try to identify how the painting relates to the human values. In addition, I will examine the artist intent of creating the piece, and what values they were trying to convey. Towards the end of the discussion, a conclusion will be drawn, summarizing the key points from the discussed.

The painting was painted in c.1474 by Leonardo da Vinci at a time when he was still Verrochio’s apprentice. The medium used for painting the piece is oil on wood measuring 42.7 by 37 cm (National Gallery of Art, 2015). The female portrait is Ginevra de’ Benci, a 17 years old who during her era is an intellectual. The background of the painting depicts the ‘leonardesque’ style of trees, mountains, and hazy sky with a dreamlike atmosphere. The artist did the effect of hazy sky through an overlay of oil glazes, hence creating a thin curtain of mist.

On the portrait’s reverse side, is a design of a chaplet palm and laurel, which encircles a juniper spring with an inscription of Beauty Adorns Virtue in English but it is in Latin, Virtutem Forma Decorat (National Gallery of Art (2015). The juniper could have meant chastity while the palm represented moral virtue of Ginevra. The portrait depicts a female figure with a marble-like skin while the hair is styled in ringlets putting a face that portrays a sulky and proud facial expression. This could be illustrating that Ginevra might not have been happy with the upcoming marriage.

The portrait has been argued by historians to have been commissioned as an engagement portrait for celebrating her marriage. According to National Gallery of Art, it was commissioned by Bembo, a friend of Ginevra, for celebrating the occasion of her marriage as well as a substitute for the object of his admiration and esteem (2015). Human values are depicted in the painting in the approaching marriage of Ginevra to Niccolini. Human values are standards, principles, beliefs and convictions that individuals adopt as their guidelines in the day-to-day activities.

Love is an important aspect of the human being since because of love, there was the upcoming marriage and was something being practiced at the time. In any case, the facial expression of Ginevra shows that she was unhappy with the marriage (National Gallery of Art, 2015). However, she had to go through with it since her human values help one in judging what is important in life. Moreover, the painting reflects the cultural phenomenon of the Renaissance era, which is a platonic love affair between the well-mannered ladies and gentlemen.

The juniper in the painting depicting chastity, which is a human value, means that the artist wanted to convey values of morality with respect to sexual relations. That is, it was important not to engage in sexual activities before marriage. Therefore, da Vinci wanted to portray values of intellection and morality. This is evident in the portrait’s Latin inscriptions, Virtutem Forma Decorat, which symbolize Ginevra intellectual and moral virtue (National Gallery of Art, 2015). In addition, the artist portrays the values of beauty and appreciation of the environment.

In conclusion, I admired the portrait for its portrayal of temperament of Ginevra. Her beauty is well represented, but austere, as she has no clue of a smile and her gaze even though forward, appears indifferent to the viewer. However, Ginevra is a woman of renowned beauty. The artist intent was to portray the moral virtual of Ginevra and her intellectual. ReferencesNational Gallery of Art (2015), “Leonardo da Vinci’s Ginevra de’ Benci (Observe) c. 1474:” National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC