Rare Leonardo Da Vinci Drawing Discovered Worth Millions

A rare sketch of "The Martyred Saint Sebastian" was announced by the Paris based Auction House Tajan. It is the first work discovered by Da Vinci since the year 2000. It is one of 14 sketches brought to the auction house by a retired doctor. The drawings had been collected by the man's father. He chose to remain anonymous.

“This is an exciting new discovery of an authentic double-sided sheet by the master (1452-1519), representing on the recto the full figure of the martyred Saint Sebastian tied to a tree in a landscape, and on the verso, notes and diagrams about light and shadow, which relate to Leonardo’s study of optics,” said The Metropolitan Museum of Art, in a statement.

A total of eight works depicting St. Sebastian are mentioned in the Codex Atlanticus, a list of da Vinci’s work compiled by the famous artist, scientist and inventor.

www.bbc.com...
www.foxnews.com...

Saint Sebastian (died c. 288 AD) was an early Christian saint and martyr. According to Christian belief, he was killed during the Roman emperor Diocletian's persecution of Christians. He is commonly depicted in art and literature tied to a post or tree and shot with arrows. Despite this being the most common artistic depiction of Sebastian, he was, according to legend, rescued and healed by Irene of Rome. Shortly afterwards he went to Diocletian to warn him about his sins, and as a result was clubbed to death.[1][2] He is venerated in the Catholic and Orthodox Churches.

en.wikipedia.org...


I didn't see mention of the stain on the sketch. It looks like either blood or paint to me. If sold at auction it's expected to sell for 16 million dollars. To me, these finds are priceless and should be in museums and not in private collections. Da Vinci was a mirror writer as well and left handed. After doing some research i found that most mirror writers are left handed. I've been a fluent mirror writer since i was a child and right handed and i wonder how common mirror writing really is. I can't wait to see what they find next. Da Vinci is my favorite artist. Amazing talent!

So if I read this correctly, the images in your OP are of a two sided sketch and this piece is one of fourteen?

Where are the other thirteen?

a reply to: ColdWisdom

The link doesn't say what the other sketches depicted. I believe that this was the only Da Vinci sketch out of the 14.
Although this is the third drawing by Da Vinci of St. Sebastian that has been found so far. His Codex indicates that there are 8 drawings of him including a completed painting not yet found.

Exquisite!
DaVinci is astonishing, can you imagine knowing the man? Wow

I bet the stain you are refering too is coffee.

Seriously though

I imagine davinci was a very busy man, and harassed by many who either wanted more from him or to make his life hell.

Looking at his work, he had a way of capturing in his work a sense of anxiety and emotion. No matter the emotion there is always anxiety.

This is just my opinion, and I in no way claim to be qualified to interpret art. I just love it.

That "looks" like a Da Vinci. Wonder why he kept it hidden all this time?

It is the first work discovered by Da Vinci since the year 2000. It is one of 14 sketches brought to the auction house by a retired doctor. The drawings had been collected by the man's father. He chose to remain anonymous.

Lots of art was stolen by the Nazis during WWII and never recovered.

Trail gone cold?

Just observing...

a reply to: EchoesInTime

To me, these finds are priceless and should be in museums and not in private collections.

I agree that's where they belong, however the money is tempting.

Last year a photo of billy the kid purchased for 2 bucks is now estimated to worth five million dollars. Now If I was the owner of that photo i'd take the money because money talks, but i'd only take the money on one condition: the populace would be able to view it.

Money comes and goes but history is priceless, I have family heirlooms almost a hundred years old and I would never part with them unless I was assured that they would be treasured-These are artifacts not some trinket you can have appraised to get a quick buck.