Leonardo influenced the two of the most greatest artists to come in contact with him. Raphael (1483–1520) came to Florence in 1504 at the age of 21, and quickly revealed Leonardo's influence in his portraits and Madonnas. Also in about 1503, Michelangelo (1475–1564) changed from a sculptor of merely grand scale to one whose figures are charged with energy. From this time on Leonardo influenced, directly or indirectly, all painting.
Leonardo da Vinci was a great influence on Raphael
Raphael’s decision to visit Florence and study the works and methods of Leonardo da Vinci paid a substantial dividend for which he was grateful. He revered and was inspired by Leonardo until his own death. Many of Raphael's most renowned paintings appear to be specifically based from, with substantial artistic connection to Leonardo da Vinci's "Mona Lisa".
The deliberate structure of the composition of Raphael’s ‘Young Woman on a Balcony’, pen and ink sketch, c. 1504., with its flanking columns; low-rise landscape in background; and obvious youth of the subject sitter ascertain that it was Leonardo’s earlier version of ‘Mona Lisa’ that Raphael had studied so assiduously. In addition, Raphael copies Leonardo’s ideas for the ‘modern’ three-quarter pose, with head tilted slightly forward and eyes directed at viewer, and the pose of hands, with right hand gently resting on left, indicating modesty.
Raphael, like Leonardo da Vinci, went on to become one of the most famous artists of Italy's High Renaissance and one of the greatest influences in the history of Western art. After being inspired by Leonardo's works, he comprised his own collection of artworks, in that collection, Raphael's "Head of an Apostle" is today the world’s most expensive sketch at $48 million.
Michelangelo was also greatly influenced by Leonardo da Vinci
There is evidence to suggest Michelangelo had observed Leonardo's paintings, and although a distaste for each other existed between the two, it appears Michelangelo's jealously of da Vinci's artworks sparked inspiration and competition. Many of Leonardo's compositions, assisted in the development of the Michelangelo's success, in which some of his most accredited works can be argued as almost exact 'copies' of Leonardo da Vinci's.
Leonardo da Vinci also influenced younger artists of Milan and Florence. Among these were Filippino Lippi and Andrea del Sarto who were able to absorb and transmit his message rather than merely copy the unimportant aspects of his style. |