In addition to his famous works, Leonardo da Vinci produced lesser-known works that reveal the depth of his artistic and investigative vision
Submitted at Apr 15, 2026, 9:00 AM
Leonardo da Vinci (Wikimedia Commons/Divulgação)
When speaking of Leonardo da Vinci, it is common for paintings such as the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper to dominate the collective imagination. However, the legacy of the Renaissance artist goes far beyond these iconic works. Painter, scientist, engineer, and thinker, Leonardo developed an artistic output marked by technical experimentation and meticulous observation of nature and the human condition.
Exploring lesser-known works by Leonardo da Vinci allows for a deeper understanding of his trajectory and his constant pursuit of innovation. Many of these works display essential features of his style, such as the use of sfumato, attention to anatomy, and an interest in symbolic narratives. In celebration of the 574th anniversary of his birth, we highlight five of the artist’s paintings that are well worth knowing!
Madonna of the Carnation, dated to around 1478–1480, is one of the earliest paintings attributed to Leonardo da Vinci. The work depicts the Virgin Mary with the Christ Child, who holds a carnation — a flower symbolically associated with the Passion of Christ. Today, the painting is part of the collection of the Alte Pinakothek, in Munich.
A Virgem do Cravo, obra de Leonardo da Vinci. (Wikimedia Commons/Divulgação)
Although it shows the influence of the master Andrea del Verrocchio, with whom Leonardo apprenticed, the work already demonstrates traces of his artistic autonomy. The delicacy of the expressions and the handling of light indicate the development of a language of his own.
Among Leonardo da Vinci’s female portraits, Ginevra de' Benci occupies a singular place. Produced around 1474–1478, the work portrays a young Florentine aristocrat and is the artist’s only painting in the Americas, part of the collection of the National Gallery of Art, in Washington, D.C.
Ginevra de' Benci, obra de Leonardo da Vinci. (Wikimedia Commons/Divulgação)
The portrait stands out for its psychological sensitivity and attention to natural details, such as the background formed by a juniper bush — a symbolic reference to the sitter’s name. This work reveals Leonardo’s early interest in human individuality and anticipates features that would be refined in later works.
Begun around 1481 and never completed, Adoration of the Magi is essential for understanding the creative process of Leonardo da Vinci. Commissioned by the Augustinian monks of Florence, the painting reveals a dynamic and innovative composition, with multiple figures arranged around the Virgin Mary and the Christ Child.
A Adoração dos Magos, obra de Leonardo da Vinci. (Wikimedia Commons/Divulgação)
Even unfinished, the work evidences Leonardo’s interest in emotional expression and movement. Today, the painting is preserved at the Uffizi Gallery, in Florence, and is considered a valuable testament to his artistic thought.
Salvator Mundi is one of the most intriguing works attributed to Leonardo da Vinci. Dated to approximately 1500, the painting depicts Christ as the “Savior of the World”, holding a crystal orb in one hand and blessing with the other. The work gained recent notoriety after being auctioned in 2017 for a record price, rekindling debates about its authenticity and condition.
Salvator Mundi, obra de Leonardo da Vinci. (Wikimedia Commons/Divulgação)
Despite the controversies, many experts recognize in the painting elements characteristic of Leonardo’s style, such as the delicacy of tonal transitions and the expressiveness of the face. The subtle use of light and the detailed rendering of the hands reinforce the artist’s technical complexity, making Salvator Mundi a significant piece for the study of his late oeuvre.
Saint Jerome in the Wilderness is another unfinished work that offers a privileged view of Leonardo da Vinci’s working method. Dated to approximately 1480–1490, the painting portrays the saint in penance, accompanied by a lion, a symbol associated with his iconography.
São Jerônimo no Deserto, obra de Leonardo da Vinci. (Wikimedia Commons/Divulgação)
The work stands out for the precise anatomical study of the human body, reflecting Leonardo’s deep interest in science and in the observation of nature. Now housed in the Vatican Pinacoteca, the painting reveals the emotional intensity and the artist’s ability to convey spirituality through bodily expression, even in an unfinished state.
CASACOR Publisher is an exclusive content-creating agent, developed by the CASACOR Technology team from the knowledge base of casacor.com.br. This text was edited by Milena Garcia.
