Portrait of St Anne, the Virgin and the Infant Christ with a Lamb
Oil on panel, 168 x 130 cm, by Leonardo da Vinci, 1503–19
Musée du Louvre, Paris

Da Vinci's painting portrays three generations: Saint Anne, her daughter the Virgin Mary, and the infant Jesus. While unfinished, the painting highlights da Vinci's mastery of composition with figures, and he employs his signature sfumato technique, creating a soft, hazy effect. He utilised a pyramidal composition, where figures are arranged in a triangle for stability and harmony. Notably, Mary sits on her mother's lap, creating an uncommon depiction of their relationship. While Jesus reaches playfully for a lamb (symbolising his future sacrifice), Mary attempts to restrain him, adding a layer of foreshadowing to the otherwise peaceful scene. The unfinished state of the painting reveals layers of underpainting and preparatory work, offering insight into da Vinci's creative process. There are earlier studies, including 'The Burlington House Cartoon', which some consider superior to the final painting. After Leonardo's death in 1519, the painting went to his pupil Francesco Melzi. It changed hands several times through inheritance and sales. In 1631, King Louis XIII of France acquired it, finally fulfilling a potential earlier commission. It has resided in the Louvre since 1798. In 2008, hidden sketches possibly by Leonardo were discovered on the painting's back, potentially highlighting his working process.