Private collection (Lansdowne Madonna
Private collection (Lansdowne Madonna – The Madonna of the Yarnwinder is a subject depicted by Leonardo da Vinci in at least one, and perhaps two paintings begun in 1499 or later. Leonardo was recorded as being at work on one such painting in Florence in 1501 for Florimond Robertet, a secretary to King Louis XII of France. This may have been delivered to the French court in 1507, although scholars are divided on this point. The subject is known today from several versions. Two of the versions, now identified as the Buccleuch Madonna and the Lansdowne Madonna, are thought to be at least partly by Leonardo’s hand. The underdrawings of both paintings show similar experimental changes made to the composition, suggesting that both evolved concurrently in Leonardo’s workshop. It is not unusual for others in a workshop to have completed works begun by the master of the workshop.
