LEONARDO da Vinci
(b. 1452, Vinci, d. 1519, Cloux, near Amboise)

Madonna Litta

c. 1490-91
Tempera on canvas, transferred from panel, 42 x 33 cm
The Hermitage, St. Petersburg

This painting was completed before Leonardo moved back to Florence in 1500 and was at a time when he was experimenting with different mediums. The attribution to Leonardo is debated although preparatory drawings in the Louvre prove that he directly participated in designing the picture.