Etching by Da Vinci?

    Comments and faves

    1. KaiShin (50 months ago | reply)

      Here is what Dean wrote about this etching:

      When we were in Florence for CHI, my friend who is studying architecture there shared a legend with me, and I shared it with some of you when we met up in in Piazza della Signoria on Thursday. Ed Chi tried to verify it by web search, but was unsuccessful, as was I. So I've turned to Yahoo! and LinkedIn Answers...

      Is there a legend about this portrait in Piazza della Signoria? Is it true?

      There is a portrait etched in stone on the wall of Palazzo Vecchio in Piazza della Signoria in Florence (Firenza), Italy. It is close behind the copy of the David there. I have heard that there is a legend that this is a self-portrait by Leonardo da Vinci. I am looking for any information about this legend, alternate versions of the legend, or information about the real source of the portrait.

      There is a geotagged photo of the etching here: flickr.com/photos/deaneckles/2419846000

      The legend is that a friend dared Leonardo da Vinci to etch a portrait on the wall. He did so with his back to the wall, drawing it behind his back. Thanks much.

      I've had trouble finding anything about it online, as I only heard it in person from people living in Florence. I think this is interesting also from the points of view of (1) what kinds of information gets represented online (and in what language) and (2) what legends and ideas stick and are passed along (and in what media).

    2. deaneckles (50 months ago | reply)

      Thanks for adding that. I guess the Flickr community now joins the competition with Yahoo! Answers and LinkedIn Answers.

    3. Flickmor (50 months ago | reply)

      Any winners so far?

    4. deaneckles (50 months ago | reply)

      Unfortunately not. This information may just not be available -- at least through online requests in English. But I haven't given up hope altogether yet.

    5. DWDP (47 months ago | reply)

      Italian Wikipedia on Palazzo Vecchio changes the author to Michelangelo.
      Please see this page for a confirmation of the legend.

    6. deaneckles (47 months ago | reply)

      Whoa -- very interesting & I had given up hope.

      I'll have to follow up on this...

    Want to format your comment?
    keyboard shortcuts: ← previous photo → next photo L view in light box F favorite < scroll film strip left > scroll film strip right ? show all shortcuts