10 Most Famous Artworks by Leonardo da Vinci

Leonardo da Vinci is celebrated for his extraordinary artistry and scientific curiosity. His masterpieces blend innovation, beauty, and technical mastery, making him a true icon of the Renaissance. This page covers 10 Famous Artworks by Leonardo da Vinci, highlighting the incredible range of his talent and legacy in world art history.

Table: 10 Most Famous Artworks by Leonardo da Vinci

These ten masterpieces represent the essence of Leonardo da Vinci's artistic vision and contribute significantly to his enduring fame. Let’s explore their stories, impact, and what makes them truly exceptional among the most renowned Leonardo da Vinci paintings in order.

1. Mona Lisa: The Most Iconic of Leonardo da Vinci Famous Paintings

The Mona Lisa is the world’s most recognizable painting. Leonardo’s use of sfumato, soft transitions between light and shadow, gives the sitter’s mysterious smile and gaze a lifelike quality. Its modest subject—Lisa Gherardini—has inspired endless debate about her expression, making this work a symbol of Renaissance portraiture and innovation.

• Considered a masterpiece for its technique and psychological depth.

• Part of the Leonardo da Vinci 15 paintings that survive today.

• Visited by millions at the Louvre every year.

2. The Last Supper: Leonardo's Dramatic Mural Masterpiece

The Last Supper, painted for the Santa Maria delle Grazie monastery, captures the instant Jesus reveals a disciple will betray him. Leonardo organizes the apostles with expressive gestures and postures, creating dramatic tension and emotion rarely seen in earlier religious art. This mural remains a central answer to “What are Leonardo da Vinci’s most famous paintings?”

3. Vitruvian Man: Art Meets Science

Vitruvian Man isn’t just a picture—it's a scientific study of human proportions, inspired by Vitruvius. The superimposed poses inside a circle and square reflect Leonardo’s fascination with anatomy, math, and architecture, showing why he is revered as a Renaissance genius. This drawing epitomizes Leonardo da Vinci inventions that mingled art with science.

4. The Virgin of the Rocks: A Revolutionary Composition

Painted in two versions, The Virgin of the Rocks shows the Holy Family meeting John the Baptist in a mystical landscape. Instead of rigid poses, Leonardo uses a pyramidal composition, emotional interactions, and lifelike gestures, marking a leap in Renaissance painting. This work is vital in any list of famous artworks by Leonardo da Vinci.

5. Lady with an Ermine: Grace and Symbolism

This elegant portrait features Cecilia Gallerani, holding an ermine—symbolic of her patron, Ludovico Sforza. Leonardo da Vinci’s scientific knowledge of anatomy shines in the detailed hand and lifelike gesture. The painting demonstrates how portraits could reveal character and status.

6. Salvator Mundi: The World's Most Expensive Painting

Salvator Mundi portrays Christ as the savior, holding a crystal orb. Its mysterious history and record-breaking auction price (over $450 million) have made it legendary. While its attribution to Leonardo remains debated, the painting displays the master’s delicate touch and typical use of luxurious pigments—hallmarks of Leonardo da Vinci famous paintings.

7. Ginevra de’ Benci: Leonardo’s First Painting in the US

Ginevra de’ Benci is believed to be Leonardo da Vinci’s first painting using a three-quarter view, rather than a traditional profile. This innovation influenced portraiture for centuries. The reverse side contains symbolic plants and the phrase “Beauty adorns virtue,” reflecting Renaissance ideals—making it a crucial work among Leonardo da Vinci paintings in order.

8. The Virgin and Child with Saint Anne: Intertwined Generations

This painting depicts Saint Anne with her daughter, the Virgin Mary, and the Christ Child. Leonardo arranges the figures in a flowing, pyramidal shape, capturing warmth and familial interaction. His use of aerial perspective—where background colors fade—creates depth and realism, answering “What was Leonardo da Vinci famous for” as a painter and thinker.

9. Head of a Woman (La Scapigliata): Expressive Simplicity

Known as “La Scapigliata,” this unfinished study features soft, unfinished hair and a delicately rendered face. Its sensitive modeling and downcast gaze reveal Leonardo’s keen observation and ability to suggest emotion with minimal strokes—a hallmark of famous artworks by Leonardo da Vinci.

10. Self Portrait: The Mysterious Red Chalk Drawing

Thought to be a self-portrait, this intense red chalk drawing is often how we imagine Leonardo da Vinci himself. The strong lines and wise expression show his mastery of drawing. Some debate its true subject, but its aura of genius is undeniable to anyone searching for a picture of Leonardo da Vinci paintings.

Other Notable Leonardo da Vinci Paintings and Studies

While only around 15 fully-attributed Leonardo da Vinci paintings exist, his sketches, studies, and inventions reveal his boundless curiosity. Works like “Study of a Child’s Head,” “Perspective Study for the Adoration of the Magi,” and anatomical drawings show his deep dives into science and art. Many Leonardo da Vinci inventions and even structures designed by Leonardo da Vinci have inspired generations of artists, architects, and scientists.

Interesting Facts: 10 Leonardo da Vinci Facts Every Student Should Know

• Leonardo was left-handed, and wrote many notes in mirror script.

• He created detailed studies of human anatomy and invented numerous mechanical devices.

• His first painting is believed to be “The Annunciation.”

• Only about 15 paintings are universally accepted as his work.

• He had a keen interest in architecture, engineering, and nature.

• Leonardo’s notebooks contain sketches of flying machines and human organs.

• Many paintings, like “The Last Supper,” have suffered from deterioration and restoration attempts.

• His influence spread to countless Renaissance and modern artists alike.

The 10 Famous Artworks by Leonardo da Vinci are treasured for their innovation, depth, and enduring mystery. From the Mona Lisa to scientific sketches, Leonardo’s genius shines through every brushstroke and drawing. His paintings and inventions continue to inspire art lovers, students, and creators all over the world, making him a true master of both art and science.