Michelangelo's and Leonardo's Leda and the Swan

Leda and the Swan, Michelangelo
tempera, 1520

Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci are one of the most well known Renaissance artists, possibly the most well known artists of all time. Michelangelo and Leonardo lived in the same period, High Renaissance. Both artists were born in the same country, Italy. Both painted and sculpted religious and mythological events and people. Their styles and their interpretations of these people and events differ from each other. Comparing Michelangelo's Leda and the Swan and Leonardo's Leda and the Swan.

Leda and the Swan is a short story in Greek mythology. Zeus transformed himself as a swan to seduce Leda. Leda and the swan was a popular subject matter during the High Renaissance period.

Michelangelo was born in Caprese, Italy. When Michelangelo was a child, he would paint all the time, his father scolded and beaten Michelangelo because he spent too much time drawing (Getlein 375). Michelangelo was an apprentice to the painter Domenico Ghirlandaio (Getlein 375). Michelangelo painted and drew the human anatomy perfectly.

Leonardo da Vinci was born in Vinci, Republic of Florence, Italy in 1452. Leonardo was an illegitimate son. Apprenticed to the Florentine artist Andrea del Verrocchio at 15 years old (Getlein 143).

Michelangelo's Leda and the Swan is set in a private place. Leda laying upon a red cloth, depicting lust. Michelangelo portrays Leda and the Swan in the act of sex.

Leda and the Swan, Leonardo da Vinci
Oil, 1510

Leonardo da Vinci's Leda and the Swan painting differs greatly from Michelangelo's painting. Leonardo depicts Leda and the Swan after the act, unlike Michelangelo's piece which shows Leda and the swan during the act. Leonardo da Vinci paints Leda's vagina, unlike Michelangelo who does not show Leda's vagina in his painting. Leonardo made the setting public. The background is mystical and imaginary, which fits the subject matter. Four babies hatched from two eggs representing the offspring of Leda's and Zeus's. Leonardo's painting does not depict lust like Michelangelo's painting, but instead depicts life. Leonardo still portrays lust, but the aftermath of lust. How Leonardo interpreted Leda and the swan mythological story could be a projection of how Leonardo da Vinci was an illegitimate son.

 Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci were both High Renaissance painters from the same period and location, even painted similar subject matter. Their style and interpretations are what differ them from each other.