Head of Christ the Redeemer

This is the latest donation received by the Ambrosiana, under the heading Il Caprotti di Caprotti. At the bottom right-hand corner of the panel a date (1511) and an inscription, with the name “Salai”, are clearly visible: this was the nickname given by Leonardo da Vinci to one of his favourite pupils, Gian Giacomo Caprotti, who was often used as a model in his master’s studio. Critics discuss about whether or not this is the artist’s signature on the painting (which would thus be attributed to Caprotti), or if this is a portrait of Salai, who would thus have lent his face as a model for the work. In any case, this panel depicts a religious subject (the face of Christ the Redeemer), as indicated by three iconographic signs which, as though forming a cross, appear behind the head, suggesting a sort of halo of the Trinity.