Leonardo da Vinci Geologic Representations in the Virgin and Child with St. Anne

"Leonardo da Vinci's Virgin and Child with St. Anne (St. Anne) has been the subject of speculation by historians and occultists ever since it was painted circa 1501-15171. In it, the Christ child is shown clutching a sacrificial lamb, symbol of His Passion, while the Virgin reaches over to restrain Him and her mother, St. Anne, looks upon them wistfully. Art critics, psychiatrists and medical doctors are among the many who have been fascinated with this painting. Each has interpreted it to reflect his own profession: Bernard Berenson, the art critic, disliked the composition because it appeared as if St. Anne was crouching, Sigmund Freud found deep psychological implications in the representation of the Virgin and St. Anne, and a medical doctor imagined seeing ensanguined embryos in the pebbles below St. Anne's foot. According to art historian Patrice Boussel, "Many consider the St. Anne a treasure trove of esoterica and occult wonders; some see in it the expanding cosmos and an all-embracing system of beliefs". What a marvelous picture to elicit comments from experts in such diverse disciplines. Yet, since it is set in the Dolomites, mountains which are part of the Alps in northeastern Italy, it seems only right to analyze the painting's geology. As will be shown, the geologic formations in the picture are depicted with Leonardo's trademark accuracy, and thus, are identifiable. More importantly, the geology provides a scientific basis for addressing much of the speculation and interpretation which has been lavished on this painting"--