N 2 da Vinci and Beyond

The da Vinci Illusion: Hidden Images

WARRIOR:  Leonardo da Vinci 

   Hidden images cover this sketch (shown in black and white.)  Can you find them?

Reverse, upside down view reveals even more hidden images.

A hidden face outlined in white.

And a second face outlined.  How many more can you find? 

   Right click on archive link below to see even more outlined hidden images within Leonardo da Vinci's sketch of a WARRIOR:  http://www.n2davinciandbeyond.com/n_2_da_vinci_and_beyond_b/2007/01/illuminating-da.html

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DA VINCI: THE ART OF ILLUSION

PROFILE OF AN OLD MAN:  LEONARDO DA VINCI

   Just in case you missed this very special illusion from my August 2007 archives, it bares repeating.

   Sit back and tilt your head just slightly to the left staring intently at the area just below the old man's nose.

   Suddenly the chin of the old man appears as the large round nose of another face.  See it?

The illusion of a hidden face outlined in green.  There are many, many more hidden images and amazing illusions lurking within this sketch.  Can you find them?

  Click on the following link to see a more detailed examination of this sketch and many more hidden images I've actually outlined for you:  http://www.n2davinciandbeyond.com/n_2_da_vinci_and_beyond_b/2007/10/da-vinci-art-of.html

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DA VINCI: "Virgin of the Rocks" Hidden Image Of Masked Face Revealed

VIRGIN OF THE ROCKS:  LEONARDO DA VINCI  National Gallery-London  (Black and white view.) 

Close up of reversed upside down image reveals a Masked Face.  Click on image for larger view.

Shown in negative a Scary Face.

   As with all of DA VINCI'S works of art the hidden images and optical illusions are everywhere.

To see more hidden images within VIRGIN OF THE ROCKS click on link:  http://www.n2davinciandbeyond.com/n_2_da_vinci_and_beyond_b/2007/05/da-vinci-virgin.html

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DA VINCI CODE OR ILLUSION?

SKETCH:  Leonardo da Vinci

How many different faces do you see in this sketch?  I see at least 3 different caricature faces.  From a distance I first see a large caricature face turned slightly to the left with eyes closed.

A second caricature face here.

And a third caricature face here.

   Throughout my site I've attempted to share an amazing discovery found within Leonardo da Vinci's works of art seen very easily by simply viewing his work from a distance and from different angles.  The images seen above are all found by simply flipping the sketch upside down and reversing the image.  If you know much at all about Leonardo da Vinci, you know of his unique style of "mirror writing" requiring viewers to hold his writing up in front of a mirror in order to decipher his hand writing; so, isn't it logical to apply this same technique to his works of art?   

Upside down, reversed view of the entire sketch.  If you keep staring at this sketch from different distances and angles (try tilting your head from one side then the other) you should begin to notice many more distinct hidden images found all over this sketch. 

What appears to look like the face of a cat outlined in green.

What has come to be known as "the infamous letter R" I keep finding hidden within so many of da Vinci's works of art.

Here is the actual sketch you've been viewing:

PORTRAIT OF A GROTESQUE OLD WOMAN:  Leonardo da Vinci       Red Chalk on paper.                                                      

Royal Collection - Drawings, Watercolours and Pastels

Reversed image with color removed.  (Removing color isn't necessary, but some may find it helps.)  One of the first things I see, in this reversed view, are what appear as distinct numbers and/or letters.

The number 3 and 2 outlined in green and a possible number 5 or the letter S shown in the ear, though that could be a simple common anomally, but the 3 and 2 seem very deliberate.  Don't they?

   In addition to the many hidden images I've pointed out so far there are many far more amazing optical illusions of images skillfully hidden within this sketch.  They can take a little more practice to find and if you're new to my site you may want to stick to the more basic or simple "art of illusion' that I examine throughout my site before you try this more complex "art of illusion."

   For those of you who have completely grasped the concept of da Vinci's more complex illusions I'm sure you'll find this sketch particularly enjoyable and challenging.

Here are a few more angles and remember to try viewing from different distances as well.

Upside down view.

Rotated right.

Rotated left. 

Original view shown with color removed.

  Are you seeing these amazing illusions?

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The da Vinci Illusion: Revealing Hidden Images

*SELF PORTRAIT:  Leonardo da Vinci

Black and white image.

Cropped section with lighting enhanced.  If you sit back and stare at this section of the sketch, what all do you see?  Do you see the right profile of a face?  Left profile of a face?  A partial face with large lips?

Right profile of face outlined.

Left profile of face outlined.

Partial face with large lips outlined. 

Larger view shown darker.  The longer I stare at this the more faces I see!

The hidden images are everywhere once you know how to look for them.

Right profile outlined.

With lighting enhanced.  Can you find more hidden images? Hint: The longer you stare at this sketch you'll notice that faint background images begin to grow darker and more distinct revealing hidden images not seen otherwise.

Small bearded face outlined.

Smiling face.

Another face outlined with the mouth on the left side.

Face looking to the right outlined.  Are you seeing them?  You should also begin seeing distinct letters and numbers.

What has become known on my site as the "infamous letter R" (hidden within so many of da Vinci's works) outlined.

  The hidden faces, numbers and letters are too numerous to even begin to try and outline.  It is also difficult to try and outline ALL the images because they form and fade from one faint image into another to another and so on.  Also, when you think you've found all the hidden images possible try coming back later and you'll be amazed at the number of new images you hadn't noticed before. 

Then change your viewing angle...

Upside down, cropped section with lighting darkened to hopefully enable you to see the hidden images much faster and easier.  Again for those of you short on time and patience I've outlined a few below.

A bearded face.

Another face.

Left profile.

With lighting darker I see even more images.  How many more hidden images can you find?

*This sketch is also known as "Portrait of an Old Man" due to questions as to it actually being a self portrait of Leonardo da Vinci. 

Portions republished from N 2 DA VINCI AND BEYOND archives.

Leonardo da Vinci: The Simple Art of Illusion

CARICATURE:  LEONARDO DA VINCI

   This is an extremely easy illusion of hidden images found within Leonardo da Vinci's works of art.

With a closer look, do you see any additional faces?  Thoughout my site I've shown you many examples of this particular simple illusion found within Leonardo da Vinci's drawings and sketches.  A seemingly endless array of hidden images found easily once you know how and what to look for.

Sit back and stare at the area, where the two dots are, in the close up above.  Suddenly two eyes come into focus revealing a second face.

A third face outlined.

Close up of the third face.

A fourth face outlined.

Close up of fourth face.  Can you spot all other hidden images?

Close up of a fith face.

Cropped section from his hair, with lighting enhanced.  I see a couple of faces as well as numbers and letters.

With color adjustment, try staring at one spot in the backgound and slowly hidden images slowly begin to appear darker and clearer!

Rotated view.  Sit back and give it a little time.  See any new images?

Rotated with lighting enhanced.  Every new angle, every lighting adjustment reveals more and more hidden images!  If you'll just give it time.

Upside down view.  I sincerely hope you're seeing the vast number of hidden images that I'm seeing.  They're incredibly amazing.  Can you find all the others?

Republished from August 1, 2007 archives.

Here's another one:

A close up of a caricature face, but it's an upside down view...

...taken from the following full right side up view of his sketch...

PROFILE OF A BALD MAN:  LEONARDO DA VINCI. 

Can you find the many other faces cleverly hidden within this sketch?

   First give this small size, but full view of the sketch a good look.  Try tilting your head to the left.  Then to the right.  Also I tend to see some of the best illusions of faces if I back away from the sketch, even standing a few feet away and from different angles to my computer screen.  Are you seeing them?  Just as you catch sight of a new face it suddenly seems to emerge and form into another face then another.   It really is incredibly fascinating! 

    If you're new to my site, WELCOME!  You may need a little practice to start seeing what seems like an endless array of hidden images and illusions throughout DA VINCI'S entire body of work.  I encourage you to take it on step or at least one work of art at a time.  If you have trouble grasping the concept of an illusion or to understand the style of hidden image you're looking for within a particular work of art take a minute to read the accompanying tips. 

   This is a relatively easy illusion and if you enjoy the thrill of discovery avoid my close ups and outlining, but I PROMISE YOU I haven't come close to outlining or finding everything.  I still discover something new every time I look at any of these.  Here are more examples:

Left profile big nose cartoon style face.  Tilt your head to the left.  The bald man's chin becomes the large nose of a second face.  See it?

There are several hidden faces here. See the smiling face upper left hand corner?

Here's a close up of smiling face.

An animal?

Here again is the full upside down view.  Are you seeing more and more faces? Some are faint appearing partially in the background (outlined second image below.) 

Close up of another face.

Outlined, what appears to look like a bird, perhaps?

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DA VINCI: OPTICAL ILLUSIONS REVEAL HIDDEN IMAGES

PROFILE OF OLD MAN:  LEONARDO DA VINCI

   Imagine that you discovered a secret museum full of never seen before master pieces!  Wouldn't you be eager to share such a discovery with the world?  Well, I feel as though I have made such a discovery!  Only all of these hidden master pieces have been sitting right in front of us for centuries! 

   If you're new to my site, TIME, DISTANCE, ANGLES and PATIENCE are a MUST!  Throughout my site I speak of the "Hologram Effect" as well as a variety of "Illusions" skillfully created and mastered by Leonardo da Vinci.  And as with any basic hologram it is impossible to see all the images at one time!  da Vinci has layered images upon images which intertwine with with one another, forming one hidden image after another!  It can take some time to begin seeing them clearly on your own.  So, I've utilize lighting, contrasting, color, etc. to try and capture some of these amazing hidden images for you.  But let me state very clearly that NO SPECIAL TECHNOLOGY IS NEEDED TO SEE THESE HIDDEN IMAGES!  They can be seen clearly with the naked eye, if you're simply willing to look for them in a slightly different way!

  I highly recommend viewing art work from different angles and distances.  And I cannot stress the value of a mirror placed at a right angle to the left or right of your computer screen.  Anyone who's ever read much about da Vinci, knows he had a thing about mirrors!  The larger the image, the further you should try viewing from, in order to see the larger hidden images and illusions, begin to emerge.  The different techniques used by da Vinci can vary from drawing to drawing and  from his paintings as well.  And, as you're about to see, da Vinci sometimes combines many different "illusions" within one single work of art. 

Leonardo da Vinci:  THE ART OF ILLUSION

In this "Study Of A Profile Of An Old Man" if you sit back from your computer screen and really stare and keep staring at the image in front of you, you'll begin to notice many hidden images lurking in this drawing!  For instance, there on the neck area...

...as outlined here, doesn't that look like a face with realy large lips?

Another face.

Keep looking!

Profile of another old man.