Leonardo da Vinci »The Madonna of the Carnation « at Pinakothek der Moderne

Wednesday, 23 August 2006 13:12

Munich, Germany - One of the most outstanding masterpieces of the Alte Pinakothek is the »Madonna of the Carnation« by Leonardo da Vinci, the only painting by the Italian master to be held in a German museum.  There has long been the wish to pay tribute to this extraordinary work in the form of an exhibition concentrating on this masterpiece and its links to selected paintings and drawings, including those of other artists.  In doing so, the Alte Pinakothek continues its specific exhibition concept of focussing on a major work of the gallery and thereby illuminating its different artistic aspects and genesis.

The »Madonna of the Carnation« is one of the rare early works by Leonardo and was created during the period when the artist, although already an independent master, still worked in the studio of his teacher Andrea del Verrocchio.  Characteristic of this work in the Munich gallery is the discourse with the imagery of the older artist, Andrea del Verrocchio – a discourse that leads Leonardo to arrive at entirely new solutions to art.  Just how stimulating the effect of these was on fellow artists in Verrocchio’s studio can be seen in the works of Lorenzo di Credi particularly.

The exhibition illustrates for the first time these inter-relationships by showing selected examples from works by Andrea del Verrocchio, Pietro Perugino and Lorenzo di Credi.  Highlights of the show are four drawings by Leonardo da Vinci, two of which vary the theme of mother and child in a way that demonstrates the particular imaginative mastery of the artist.

Last year the »Madonna of the Carnation« was examined using the very latest technical methods available to art restorers.  This examination produced new and surprising results that are to be presented in the form of a richly illustrated documentation in a second part of the exhibition.  They reveal that Leonardo served future generations as a role model not only in the artistic sense, but also in terms of his actual painting technique.  On exhibition 15 September until 3 December, 2006.

Accompanying the exhibition is a publication by Schirmer/Mosel. It includes essays by Martin Kemp, Cornelia Syre, Jan Schmidt, Heike Stege et al. 296 pages, circa 135 illustrations | ISBN-13: 978-3-8296-0272-3.

Visit Pinakothek der Moderne at: www.pinakothek.de/pinakothek-der-moderne/