Labels:text | letter | human face | document OCR: Drawing of a Bearded Man ca. 1500, red chalk 13 Ve x 8 3/a in. (33.3 x 21.3 cm) Turin, Biblioteca Reale 15571 This drawing, invariably identified as a self-portrait of Leonardo, has graced the frontispiece of many studies devoted to the artist's work. But if the recent dating at about 1500 is correct, rather than its previous assignment to 1513, its position as a portrait of the artist is dubious. The drawing shows a very aged man, who would appear to be well beyond Leonardo's 48 years at the time he sketched it. Whether a self-portrait or not, the image has come to embody Leonardo's depth of experience and wisdom. Z10
(.png)
