Three Views of a Man’s Head: Leonardo on Display in Turin

Three Views of a Man’s Head: Leonardo on Display in Turin

From 20 March to 28 June 2026 the Spazio Leonardo at Galleria Sabauda in Turin hosts, as part of the yearly "A tu per tu con Leonardo" presentation, an autograph sheet by Leonardo da Vinci titled Three Views of a Male Head with Beard. The red-chalk drawing, dated around 1502, is shown in a climate-controlled case together with a critical panel prepared by curators Simone Facchinetti and Arturo Galansino.

What to look for

The sheet displays three angles of the same male head — frontal, three-quarter and profile — drawn with a soft, curving red-chalk line that emphasizes the flowing beard. It is an outstanding example of Leonardo’s practice of studying the human face and may have served both as a direct observational exercise and as a preparatory reference for sculptural or pictorial work.

Historical context and readings

The drawing dates to around 1502, a pivotal year in Leonardo’s career. At that time his studies combined artistic observation with practical investigations. The sequence of views can be interpreted as both a systematic study from life and as part of a traditional preparatory approach that analyses the figure from multiple angles prior to three-dimensional design.

Collection background

The sheet belongs to the graphic holdings of the Biblioteca Reale in Turin: the core of this collection was acquired in 1839 by King Carlo Alberto from the dealer Giovanni Volpato. That purchase formed one of the most important concentrations of Leonardo drawings outside Lombardy and safeguarded numerous Renaissance autograph sheets.

Why visit

• See an autograph sheet by Leonardo presented on rotation for conservation reasons.
• Examine technical features of red-chalk drawing and the progressive simplification of the line across the three views.
• Benefit from curatorial insights by Simone Facchinetti and Arturo Galansino, supported by related multimedia material.

Practical information

• Venue: Spazio Leonardo, Galleria Sabauda (first floor), Turin.
• Dates: 20 March – 28 June 2026.
• Access: the sheet is displayed in a climate-controlled case; visiting conditions follow the regulations and opening times of the Musei Reali. Check the museum's official channels for current hours and ticketing before visiting.
• Note: the Turin display is part of the Musei Reali 2026 programme and serves as a scholarly prologue to a larger exhibition on Leonardo and his circle scheduled in Milan in late 2026.