-
1 of 253523 objects
Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
A design for a dragon costume c.1517-18
Black chalk, pen and ink | 18.8 x 27.0 cm (sheet of paper) | RCIN 912369
-
A drawing of a dragon, moving in profile to the right. It has a hairy body, a tail, short horns, an open mouth and, apparently, a hairy, clawed arm coming out of the back of its neck. Melzi's number 29.
As a court artist in France, Leonardo designed exotic costumes for the many entertainments staged for King Francis I. This drawing appears to be a study for a dragon costume to house two men, in the manner of a pantomime horse. A clawed arm sketched in black chalk can be seen emerging from the side of the head, at the natural height of a man who supplies the front legs of the beast, and who supports the oversized head on his shoulders, as in a Chinese festival dragon. See also RCIN 912573 - 912577.
Text adapted from Leonardo da Vinci: A life in drawing, London, 2018Provenance
Bequeathed to Francesco Melzi; from whose heirs purchased by Pompeo Leoni, c.1582-90; Thomas Howard, 14th Earl of Arundel, by 1630; probably acquired by Charles II; Royal Collection by 1690
-
Creator(s)
Acquirer(s)
-
Medium and techniques
Black chalk, pen and ink
Measurements
18.8 x 27.0 cm (sheet of paper)
Markings
watermark: Letter A in a circle, surmounted by a P. Briquet 9608 (Milan 1495-1501, Venice 1499) [Codex Arundel 98/103 232 (bottom)]
Other number(s)
RL 12369Alternative title(s)
A design for a costume of an imaginary beast
