How does Leonardo Da Vinci create a sense of balance/harmony in his paintings?

Question

(I'm doing an art essay)

Answer 1

Yes TC you're right there. The pyramid is an excellent means of organising the pictorial space and creating balance to a work. Leonardo uses the pyramid in The Madonna of the Carnation and creates futher harmony with the symmetry of the arched windows. Notice how the colours he uses create a sense of balance to the piece also. The yellow and blue of the virgin's gown are picked up in the mountain landcape.

In his Adoration of the Magi work he uses the pyramid and frieze. The christ child reaching out to touch the Magi's gift also forms a circle shape. Christ becomes the Alpha and Omege, the beginning and the end, making contact with the everyday man like never before. The circle is the ultimate symbol of harmony.

Leonardo's The Last Supper fresco is a lesson on geometry, balance and harmony. He uses the pyramid and frieze once again but also groups the diciples into threes. Christ at the centre of the work and the lines of persepctive converge on him. Again colours are repeated within the work.

It's interesting that during the time that Leonardo worked on this fresco in Milan, he was friends with the mathmatician and geometrist Luco Pacoli.

There's a little to get you thinking. Hope it helps.

Answer 2

Look at his subjects. None look as if they are likely to topple over and all are in perspective. His skin tones are warm, the eyes show not just expression but character, his skies are never boring, always atmospheric to the subject matter...will that help

Answer 3

He creates balance by basing his compositions on very sold underling geometrical shapes, such as the pyramid that underlies "St Anne".