Study of a Screaming Head (related to 'The Battle of Anghiari')
Drawing on paper • Attributed to Leonardo da Vinci (or a highly skilled contemporary workshop follower such as Francesco Melzi)
Style & Movement
High Renaissance
Medium & Technique
Black chalk (or charcoal) and silverpoint highlights on prepared blue-grey paper; employing sfumato for transitions and hatching for texture
Creation Period
Early 16th Century (c. 1504-1505)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 19 x 15 cm; Portrait orientation
Subject Description
A visceral preparatory study of a male head in profile, capturing an extreme expression of agony or martial rage. Features a wide-open mouth, tensed facial muscles, and flared nostrils, likely intended for a soldier in the 'Battle of Anghiari' mural.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good/Fair - Significant aging visible with surface foxing and paper oxidation
Estimated Market Value
$5,000,000 - $15,000,000 (if fully authenticated as autograph)
Auction Estimate
$4,000,000 - $8,000,000
Provenance History
Likely part of a dispersed Renaissance codex; typical of collections from the Melzi estate or the Leoni family before entering European private or royal collections
Art Historical Significance
Crucial evidence of Leonardo's anatomical studies and his pursuit of 'moti mentali' (movements of the mind) through facial expression; linked to one of the most famous 'lost' masterpieces of the Renaissance.
Notable Features
The use of 'carta azzurra' (blue paper) and the characteristic left-handed hatching (if autograph) are key diagnostic features for identification.
Condition Issues
Visible foxing spots (brown iron/fungal deposits), minor creasing, and evidence of horizontal fold marks; slight fading of the chalk intensity due to light exposure.
Conservation Recommendations
Requires deacidification treatment by a paper conservator, mounting with acid-free materials, and storage in a climate-controlled environment with strictly limited UV exposure.