Summary

In 1503, Leonardo was commissioned to paint a battle scene on the wall of Florence's Council Hall. However, he never finished and what he did paint is now lost. It can now only be envisioned through copies and preliminary drawings. The significance of his commission was heightened by the fact that Michelangelo, a young up-and-coming artist, was commissioned to paint a battle scene of his own on another wall in the same hall. Michelangelo's painting was also never finished but the processes which were completed offer readers and viewers an opportunity to compare the styles and temperaments of two of the Renaissance's greatest Italian artists. Leonardo's conception of the mural showcased his narrative style and use of motion as it centered on a significant moment in battle. By contrast, Michelangelo's version portrayed a tangential scene in which Florence's soldiers are bathing in the Arno...