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Sketch from da Vinci’s Virgin of the Rocks

da Vinci’s portraits of women; understated elegance.

Angel from da Vinci’s Virgin of the Rocks (Michael Liebhaber, Graphite on paper, 15 x 21 cm, 2014)
Angel from da Vinci’s Virgin of the Rocks (Michael Liebhaber, Graphite on paper, 15 x 21 cm, 2014)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The original painting, Virgin of the Rocks (1483–1486, Oil on panel (transferred to canvas), 199 cm × 122 cm), is in the Musée du Louvre, Paris.

Leonardo di ser Piero da Vinci
* April 15, 1452, Vinci, Italy
† May 2, 1519, Amboise, France

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Rembrandt

Rembrandt is famous for his self-portraits. I could not resist drawing one them.

Sketch from Rembrandt Self-Portrait (Michael Liebhaber, Graphite on paper, 15 x 21 cm, 2014)
Sketch from Rembrandt Self-Portrait (Michael Liebhaber, Graphite on paper, 15 x 21 cm, 2014)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The original painting by Rembrandt is titled Self-Portrait with Beret and Turned-Up Collar (1659, oil on canvas, 84.4 cm × 66 cm). The painting was gifted to the National Gallery of Art (Washington, DC, USA) in 1937 by the A.W. Mellon Educational and Charitable Trust.
Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn
* July 15, 1606, Leiden, Netherlands
† October 4, 1669, Amsterdam, Netherlands

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Happy Holidays to Everyone

Something new for the coming new year… portraits.

From the painting Emeraude, by Alphonse Mucha (Michael Liebhaber,Emeraude Study, Graphite on paper, 15x21cm, 2014)
From the painting L’Emeraude, by Alphonse Mucha (Michael Liebhaber, Emeraude Study, Graphite on paper, 15x21cm, 2014)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The original L’Émeraude, created by Alfons Mucha, was a poster in the series titled The Precious Stones (1900, lithograph, 67.2x30cm). His paintings and illustrations were first called the Mucha Style, but soon became to be associated with the Art Nouveau style; a style that emphasized flowing, natural forms.

Alfons Mucha
* 24 July 1860 Ivančice, Moravia (now Czech Republic)
† 14 July 1939 Praha (Prague), Czech Republic

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Falkenstein Castle, Germany

Too many castles, so little time. Falkenstein was a fair-sized castle in it’s day. I caught it as the late afternoon sun was coming through the big windows.

This castle is in the German State of Rhineland-Palatinate and should not be confused with the other seven Falkenstein Castles in Germany, nor the other six Falkenstein Castles in surrounding countries! It doesn’t even make the Wikipedia list of Falkenstein Castles. Either those old-time Falkensteins got around, or they weren’t very adept at thinking up new names.

Regardless, it’s a cool place to visit because it’s free, has great views of the surrounding valley, you can drive to it, and there is a restaurant right next door (weekends only).

Michael Liebhaber; Late Afternoon at Falkenstein Castle, Germany; 2014; Pencil on paper, 25.5 cm x 18 cm
Michael Liebhaber; Late Afternoon at Falkenstein Castle, Germany; 2014; Pencil on paper, 25.5 cm x 18 cm.