Interlacing branches
Tempera on plaster, by Leonardo da Vinci, 1498
Sala delle Asse, Sforza Castle, Milan

A complex and innovative mural in the Sala delle Asse, the walls and vaulted ceiling depict a continuous arbour, achieved through the illusionistic painting of sixteen trees. Their trunks rise from the lower portions of the walls, their branches interweave across the ceiling, and all are adorned with leaves, fruits, and golden ropes. This creates a trompe-l'œil effect, transforming the interior space into a seemingly open-air pavilion. While the underpainting on the lower sections of the wall suggests the work of assistants, the overall design and execution of the upper sections are attributed to Leonardo himself. The extensive use of mulberry trees is thought to be a subtle homage to Ludovico Sforza, the Duke of Milan who commissioned the work, as 'il Moro' (the Moor) was a nickname referencing his dark complexion and possibly alluding to the mulberry tree's significance in silk production, a key industry of Milan at the time.

The Decoration of the Sala delle Asse [Google Arts presentation]