The author of two figures in the sculptural panel of Italian painter Andrea del Verrokko “beheading of John the Baptist” may prove himself to Leonardo da Vinci

Italian Renaissance artist Andrea del Verrokko (Andrea del Verrocchio), working on sculptural panels «beheading of John the Baptist», intended for the silver altar of the Baptistery of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fore may seek assistance one of his students - Leonardo da Vinci, who subsequently has surpassed his teacher.

This convinced Gary Radka (Gary Radke), Professor of Arts Syracuse University (United States). In preparation for the exhibition «Leonardo da Vinci. Hand genius », which opens Oct. 3 at the Art Museum Real (High Museum of Art) in Atlanta, he had carefully examined the piece of the altar, which is now kept in the museum of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fore (Museo dell'Opera del Duomo), and concluded that Leonardo created two of the seven pieces of the sculpture composition. In favor of this version says its amazing resemblance to the figure, a warrior from the collections of the British Museum, which discovered Radko.

As all the pieces were made separately and then inserted into the altar through the pins, Radko has been able to examine every detail and saw that two of them differ in style from the others. The contrast between the manner of the two authors defeated Radka: «Do Verrokko a talent for observing nature, and those observing it in its work generalized. Leonardo same could not calm down until the figure of each do not see every bone and every vein ». According to the professor, the two figures - the young men with tray (or a circular plate), and an officer in turbans with the rod - elaborated in more detail and are more convex, three-dimensional.

Panel «beheading of John the Baptist» will be presented at the exhibition in Atlanta, along with photos and illustrations, which will show the differences between the figures.

material produced Catherine Onuchin

Sources: artinfo.com , nytimes.com , artinvestment.ru