Skip to main content

Primary sourcePainting15th century

Study of Seated Figures

Leonardo da Vinci · 15th century

A photographic slide of a Leonardo da Vinci sheet of pen and ink figure studies, held in the Louvre's drawings collection.

This sheet of figure studies is Leonardo's own drawing practice, central to his artistic method.

Ask Leonardo da Vinci about this sourceView the original(opens in new tab)
Lantern slide photograph of a Leonardo da Vinci pen-and-ink sketch sheet with multiple studies of human figures in various poses, including a seated group at lower right, a figure with a compass-like circle at upper center, and a crouching figure at lower left. A label on the slide reads Leonardo da Vinci, B 5962, Feuille d'etudes, Paris, Cabinet des dessins, and the slide is marked Universite de Louvain.
Leonardo da Vinci, Study of Seated Figures, 15th century. Musée du Louvre, Paris (?); photographic lantern slide, KU Leuven.

About this source

What it is

This lantern slide photographs a sheet of pen and ink figure studies by Leonardo da Vinci, from the 15th century. The original is kept in Paris, likely in the Louvre's Cabinet des Dessins, and the slide was made for art history teaching at the Université de Louvain.

The sheet includes several studies of human figures in different poses, including a seated group, a figure with a compass-like circle, and a crouching figure.

Why it matters

Leonardo often filled single sheets with multiple quick studies of the human body in motion. This practice of repeated figure drawing helped him understand anatomy and gesture for his larger paintings.

Look closer

  • Why might an artist draw several different poses on the same sheet of paper?
  • What does the compass-like circle suggest about how Leonardo combined art and geometry?
  • What is missing from this photograph that you might see in the original drawing?

This painting is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Leonardo da Vinci on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

More Leonardo da Vinci sources

Meet the AI Leonardo da Vinci →
Painting of a woman with long dark hair and a subtle smile, seated with her hands folded on an armrest, in front of a hazy landscape with winding paths, a river, and mountains.Painting

Primary source

Mona Lisa

Leonardo da Vinci · c. 1503-1519

Black and white line engraving of a bearded man in a dark brimmed cap and dark cloak, turned three-quarters to the left. Below the image is the printed title LEONARDO DA VINCI, with small inscriptions in the margins.Painting

Secondary source

Leonardo da Vinci portrait line engraving by Raphael Morghen

R. Morghen

Scan of a page from a Leonardo da Vinci manuscript notebook: mirror-writing handwritten notes in brown ink, a geometric diagram of a triangle and rectangle at top, and a sketch of a catapult or siege engine with a flame at lower right.Book

Primary source

Manuscript Notebook MS B

Leonardo da Vinci

Mural painting of the Last Supper showing Jesus seated at the center of a long table with twelve disciples in groups of three on either side, with bread and dishes on the table. Coffered ceiling and windows visible in the room.Painting

Primary source

The Last Supper

Leonardo da Vinci · c. 1495-1498

Lantern slide of a Leonardo da Vinci architectural study sheet. Labels read 'VINCI (Leonardo da) (1452-1519)', 'Etude d'architecture', 'Dessin', and 'B 5989'. The drawing shows a domed church sketch, a semicircular plan, a rectangular church floor plan with columns, workers hauling a block with a cart, and a seated figure.Painting

Primary source

Architectural Studies

Leonardo da Vinci · c. 1500

Ready when you are

Start chatting with Leonardo da Vinci now.

20 messages free · No credit card · Available in 50+ languages.

Trial Humy for freeGet a quote for institutions