Editing Leonardo da Vinci (section)

=== Early works ===
[[File:Annunciation (Leonardo c. 1472–1476).jpg|thumb|''[[Annunciation (Leonardo)|Annunciation]]'' {{circa|1472–1476}},{{#tag:ref|'''''The Annunciation'''''
* {{Harvtxt|Kemp|2019|p=6}}: {{circa|1473–1474}}
* {{Harvtxt|Marani|2003|p=338}}: {{circa|1472–1475}}
* {{Harvtxt|Syson ''et al.''|2011|p=15}}: {{circa|1472–1476}}
* {{Harvtxt|Zöllner|2019|p=216}}: {{circa|1473–1475}}
|group=d}} [[Uffizi]], is thought to be Leonardo's earliest extant and complete major work.]]
Leonardo first gained attention for his work on the ''[[The Baptism of Christ (Verrocchio)|Baptism of Christ]]'', painted in conjunction with Verrocchio. Two other paintings appear to date from his time at Verrocchio's workshop, both of which are [[Annunciation]]s. One is small, {{nowrap|{{convert|59|cm}}}} long and {{convert|14|cm|abbr=on}} high. It is a "[[predella]]" to go at the base of a larger composition, a painting by Lorenzo di Credi from which it has become separated. The other is a much larger work, {{convert|217|cm|abbr=on}} long.{{sfn|Ottino della Chiesa|1967|pp=88, 90}} In both Annunciations, Leonardo used a formal arrangement, like two well-known pictures by [[Fra Angelico]] of the same subject, of the [[Virgin Mary]] sitting or kneeling to the right of the picture, approached from the left by an angel in profile, with a rich flowing garment, raised wings and bearing a lily. Although previously attributed to Ghirlandaio, the larger work is now generally attributed to Leonardo.{{sfn|Marani|2003|p=338}}

In the smaller painting, Mary averts her eyes and folds her hands in a gesture that symbolised submission to God's will. Mary is not submissive, however, in the larger piece. The girl, interrupted in her reading by this unexpected messenger, puts a finger in her bible to mark the place and raises her hand in a formal gesture of greeting or surprise.{{sfn|Hartt|1970|pp=127–133}} This calm young woman appears to accept her role as the [[Mother of God]], not with resignation but with confidence. In this painting, the young Leonardo presents the humanist face of the Virgin Mary, recognising humanity's role in God's incarnation.