LEONARDO da Vinci
(b. 1452, Vinci, d. 1519, Cloux, near Amboise)

The Baptism of Christ (detail)

1472-75
Oil on wood
Galleria degli Uffizi, Florence

When Leonardo worked under Verrocchio he participated in many works including Verrocchio's The Baptism of Christ. The gentle modelling of the left angel's head and the fact that the paint at this point contains oil supports the general attribution of this section to Leonardo. The painting was probably produced for the church of San Salvi in Florence and was mentioned as early as 1510 by Albertini, who stated that Leonardo painted the angel's head. A drawing of the angel's head is kept in Turin.