Study of St. Anne, Mary, the Christ Child and the young St. John

The "Study of St. Anne, Mary, the Christ Child and the young St. John" is an unfinished oil painting by Leonardo da Vinci, dating from the High renaissance, created around 1501–1519. This sketch and study captures the tender relationship between Saint Anne, her daughter the Virgin Mary, and the infant Jesus. Christ holds a sacrificial lamb, symbolizing his Passion. Leonardo's meticulous ink techniques were likely transferred from paper studies. The painting reflects Leonardo's long-standing preoccupation with religious themes and masterful composition, typical of his preparatory sketches and studies for larger works.