The Virgin of the Rocks

As seen in “The Virgin of the Rocks,” Leonardo da Vinci’s insights on geology contributed to the realism of his work. This painting depicts Madonna, child Jesus, infant John the Baptist, and an angel in a rocky setting reminiscent of the mountains in northeastern Italy. Leonardo’s studies on geology allowed him to create a three dimensional space and depth in the painting. Linear perspective is created by contrasting the jagged rocks in the cave and the hazy mountains in the distance.