Studies of Heads, ca. 1504–05

Leonardo was commissioned to decorate the Hall of the Great Council in Florence’s Palazzo Vecchio with a scene depicting the Battle of Anghiari, the triumphant victory of the Florentine army over the Milanese in 1440. Despite working on the wall-painting for years, Leonardo left Florence for Milan before he had finished it, and the completed parts were destroyed already in the 16th century. Apart from contemporary reports, all that remains of this legendary work are copies and some preparatory drawings by Leonardo. The two head studies in this drawing, seemingly portraits, are in fact studies of physiognomy. The larger head depicts the bestial anger of the Milanese mercenary leader while in close combat with the Florentine captain.