Leonardo’s first painting: the Baptism of Christ at the Uffizi Gallery
Leonardo’s first painting that we are aware of is the Baptism of Christ. It is one of my favorite works of art, a masterpiece of Florentine Renaissance painting. It is also one of the most important artworks exhibited in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, one that you really shouldn’t miss on a visit to this museum.
If you want to know more about the first painting that Leonardo da Vinci ever made, here is some information and fun facts about it.
Leonardo’s first painting: the Baptism of Christ
This is the very first painting that Leonardo da Vinci ever made, at least among those that have survived to the present day. And without considering drawings and sketches. It is the Baptism of Christ, made with oil and tempera on wooden panel.
You might be surprised to know that it was not entirely made by Leonardo da Vinci. It was actually made in part by Leonardo, and in part by his master Andrea Verrocchio. At the time Leonardo was still an apprentice in the workshop of his famous master. Another unknown apprentice also painted some details.
Where is Leonardo’s first painting located?
Leonardo’s first painting, the Baptism of Christ, is located in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy. It’s a wonderful museum, literally packed with art masterpieces: Michelangelo, Botticelli, Raffaello, Caravaggio and many others great name of Italian art.
The Baptism of Christ is on display in the Leonardo’s room of the Uffizi Gallery, at the second floor. You can find other two paintings by Leonardo (the Annunciation and the Adoration of the Magis) in the same room.
I am a licensed tour guide in Florence:
- Learn more about my private tour of the Uffizi gallery
- Here are my tips for visiting the Uffizi
- Uffizi Most important artworks
When Leonardo da Vinci painted it
The Baptism of Christ was painted between 1470 and 1475 by Leonardo da Vinci and Andrea Verrocchio.
Leonardo probably worked on this painting only in the last phase, completing and standardizing the work.
What is represented in the Baptism of Christ by Leonardo
As the title says, the work depicts Saint John the Baptist (the man on the right) baptizing Jesus Christ with the waters of the Jordan River. On the left, two young angels are attending the scene in adoration. The holy spirit descends from above, in the form of a dove, sent directly from the hands of God.
Leonardo da Vinci and his master Verrocchio
In 1470, when the painting was begun, Leonardo da Vinci was about 18 years old, and he was a young and talented apprentice in Andrea Verrocchio’s workshop. Verrocchio was a very famous artist in 1400 Florence, sculptor and painter, at the head of a workshop with many promising artists who worked for him. In fact Leonardo was also trained as a sculptor, even if unfortunately none of his sculptures have survived to this day.
The Baptism of Christ was commissioned by the monastery of San Salvi, and was started by Verrocchio. The master set up the composition and painted the two main figures: Jesus and St. John the Baptist. Then another apprentice, whose name we do not know, worked on the painting. He created the palm on the left, the rocks on the right, and the right angel. Finally, Leonardo completed the artwork, painting the landscape in the background and the angel on the left. Then he standardized everything to bring together the styles of three different artists.
The mysterious apprentice who painted the right angel could be Sandro Botticelli. He too was one of the apprentices of Verrocchio’s workshop at the time.
Legend has it that the master Verrocchio, after seeing the wonderful angel painted by his apprentice Leonardo, decided to stop painting forever, and to devote himself only to sculpture. This is partly true: this is not only Leonardo’s first painting: it’s also Verrocchio’s last painting. But the reason is not jealousy of the young apprentice’s talent. Verrocchio was a living legend of sculpture, and he decided to specialize his career on what he did best.
The angel by Leonardo da Vinci
The angel painted by Leonardo is one of his sweetest and most delicate portraits. The face is just that of a teenager, with rosy cheeks and light hair blown by the wind. His pose is very realistic, portrayed from behind as he turns his head towards St. John the Baptist in a natural gesture.
Just make a comparison with the right angel, painted by the mysterious pupil, to understand how much more beautiful and exciting Leonardo’s angel is.
That’s it for this time. I hope this article will be useful for you to understand and appreciate the Baptism of Christ, the first painting by Leonardo da Vinci. Especially if you are about to see it live at the Uffizi Gallery!
If you are looking for more information on Leonardo da Vinci I suggest you also read:
Nice article!
thank you Susan!
Hi, Could the right angel have been painted by Botticelli perhaps?
Yes, some art historians have attributed the left angel to Botticelli, who also worked in Verrocchio’s workshop. But it’s unlikely, because Botticelli already left the workshop when the painting was made.
What about Leonardo relationships with Pope 1 and his nephew?
Who Pope 1 was?