Summary

Chapter 22 focuses on two of Leonardo's lost paintings: Leda and the Swan and Salvator Mundi. Leda and the Swan remains lost, while Salvator Mundi was rediscovered in 2011. Although Leonardo's original is lost, there are several copies of Leda and the Swan done by his students which hint at the character of the original. In addition, there exists a preparatory sketch for the painting by Leonardo which can be compared to the student copies. Isaacson uses a copy by Leonardo's pupil and heir Francesco Melzi as a frame of reference for the original. The painting depicts a Greek myth and features a standing nude, both of which are unusual attributes for a Leonardo. While it is Leonardo's most overtly sexual scene, it is not erotic compared to the works of other artists such as Titian. Instead of focusing on the consummation story between Leda...