The Eye of Enigma: Decoding the Symbolism in Leonardo's Portraits

Leonardo da Vinci's paintings, particularly his famous works like the Mona Lisa and the Vitruvian Man, continue to captivate and mystify art enthusiasts and scholars alike. Sometimes, as Freud famously said, a cigar is just a cigar. That is, unless we are dealing with the eyes of one of Leonardo's masterpieces. Do the eyes in these paintings hold a deeper, hidden meaning? Let us dive into the enigma of the eyes and explore the possibility of symbolism behind their gaze.

Leonardo and the Portraiture Tradition

Leonardo da Vinci was commissioned to create portraits for a reason. He was one of the most prominent artists and thinkers of his time, often working for wealthy patrons. The Mona Lisa, a portrait of an aristocratic woman, was created for Francis I of France. The Vitruvian Man, on the other hand, was a study commissioned by the Medici family of Florence. The focus of these works was often the subject's beauty and likeness, with the artist striving to capture the essence of the person being painted.

The Reflective Gaze: A Side Effect of Composition

The most famous and enigmatic aspect of these works is perhaps the reflected gaze of the subjects. In the Mona Lisa, the eyes seem to follow the viewer's movements around the room. Similarly, in the Vitruvian Man, the eyes appear to look out at the viewer in a way that some consider uncanny. These effects are often attributed to the diplopic technique, where Leonardo would create two images on a single panel or canvas, making the subjects appear to be looking in different directions.

Freud himself, in his 1910 essay Rise and Fall of Mastery in Sex, interpreted the Mona Lisa's smile and eyes as a symbol of repressed sexuality. However, Freud's interpretations are often criticized for being overly psychoanalytic and projecting personal theories onto the artwork. Modern scholars, however, tend to view these elements as a natural consequence of the artist's skill rather than intentional symbolism.

Leonardo's Intentions: Verifying the Artistic Intent

To truly understand the meaning behind the eyes in Leonardo's paintings, we would need direct insight from the artist himself. Unfortunately, Leonardo left little written record of his thoughts on his works, which has led to much speculation and interpretation over the centuries. In The Notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci, edited by Jean Paul Richter, there are no explicit statements about the symbolism in his art, though there are references to the human eye as a symbol of divine beauty and perfection.

It is possible that Leonardo was aware of the symbolic potential of the eyes and intended to use them to convey a message. However, without his explicit statements, we can only speculate. The eyes in his paintings could be a reflection of the human experience, an intention to draw the viewer into the work, or simply a result of his technical skill and artistic vision.

Conclusion: The Eyes as Symbols or Artistic Choices?

The eyes in Leonardo da Vinci's paintings continue to be the subject of intense debate among art historians and enthusiasts. While Freud's interpretations offer a provocative and often-discussed perspective, modern scholars tend to focus on the technical and artistic choices that make the eyes so captivating.

In the end, the eyes in Leonardo's portraits remain an enigmatic symbol, one that invites viewers to enter into a world of endless fascination and interpretation. Whether these eyes were a deliberate artistic choice or a result of a complex interplay of technique and perception, they have undoubtedly left an indelible mark on the world of art and continue to inspire new generations of artists and thinkers.

Keywords: symbolism, Leonardo da Vinci, Mona Lisa