Grotesque Profile 1487

This grotesque profile was drawn by Leonardo da Vinci with pen and brown ink. Such drawings fit into a broader cultural interest during the Renaissance in physiognomy. This was the idea that one could read a person’s character and inner nature from their outward appearance. This interest had classical origins, but it was revived in the 15th century. Thinkers believed that physical features reflected moral character. For instance, a prominent nose might signify courage, while close-set eyes could suggest deceitfulness. Leonardo was clearly fascinated by this concept and used his exceptional skills as a draughtsman to explore the extremes of human appearance. Of course, we should remember that Leonardo was working within a deeply hierarchical society, where ideas about beauty and ugliness were often tied to social status. By studying Leonardo’s notebooks and other contemporary texts, we can get a better understanding of how these cultural biases might have shaped his artistic vision.