THE ANNUNCIATION: Leonardo da Vinci
(Click on image for larger view.)
Cropped section.
Within the red area it looks like the right profile of a man sitting with his hands on his knees. I also see what appears to be the head of a dog looking left as well as many other images.
Enlarged with lighting enhanced.
The letter S or the number 5?
Cropped section with lighting enhanced.
Close up of the angels back. Faces and numbers.
A closer look without lighting. Left profile and the infamous "R."
Cropped section. If you see the eyes, look deep within them and discover the next layer within.
Notice to the far left, shown up close in the next cropped section.
Do you see the left profile of a man's face just under the veil?
And another man's face just under the veil.
Reversed image with color removed. Give it some time, there's a lot going on in this small cropped section.
Cropped section of the red robe of the angel.
Close up view rotated.
Same section of the red robe rotated with lighting enhanced. Left profile of a large face with a smaller left profile just under the large nose and distinct numbers.
A close up of what looks like a face from the right side of the last image, but stare at this long enough and a large eye appears. (Seen below.)
Stare dead center and a large eye appears.
Negative view reminds me of an Egyptian goddess.
Notice the image in the right side of the hair. And the face lower right corner seen close up in next image.
The last two images are negative views.
Close up of the Virgin's lap.
Closer view. This seems to jump out in 3D. Notice the numbers. Right click for larger views.
Same image rotated. Seen up close even more numbers and letters appear. It's as if every inch of this painting holds hidden images, numbers and letters no matter where you look! (Republished from Dec. 19, 2006 archives.)
MADONNA LITTA: Leonardo da Vinci
Sit back from your computer a bit and forget what you're suppose to see. The area outlined, do you see the left profile of a woman's face? It has the appearance of an Egyptian goddess.
And if you keep looking in that area as you tilt your head to the left more images of faces begin to appear.
A long nosed caricature of a old woman looking up.
The left profile of a partial face with a big nose, looking down, the eye is shadowed.
And shift your focus to the shadow on Madonna's neck and there's a standing left profile shown from the waist up, wearing a blue jacket. Can you find the other hidden images?
Hint: The hidden images you're looking for in these examples have more of a cartoon or caricature look about them.
With slight lighting enhancement to give you a little extra help. Sit back and continue staring intently, with or without the use of a mirror as described above.
Seen close up the shadow begins to reveal the illusion of the profile of a face as mentioned above and what appears as the image of a snake in her hair. Click on image for larger view.
Rotated. Do you see what appears to be a face kissing the the infant?
A face kissing the infant outlined. A mirror placed at a right angle to your computer screen may prove very helpful if you're just not seeing the hidden images.
Upside down.
Left profile of a face, with eye closed, outlined.
Click on image for a larger view, but you'll have to stand back from your computer screen a few feet and don't forget to view from different angles, with or without use of a mirror.
Keep staring at the larger images of this painting, trying different angles and distances. This is one of the more difficult illusions of Leonardo da Vinci's, if you're just not seeing it, leave it, come back later. There is no way you're going to see everything the first time. There are many more illusions to show you and if you're new to my site, please take it one step, one illusion at a time. (Portions of MADONNA LITTA republished from archives.)
MADONNA OF THE YARNWINDER: Leonardo da Vinci Sometimes called MADONNA WITH A SPINDLE
If you're new to my site allow me to let you in on the secret. Every single work of art, that I have seen, of LEONARDO DA VINCI'S has an incredible illusion of countless hidden images. The secret to seeing them is by looking in a slightly different way than we're accustom to viewing works of art. Mainly from a distance and from different angles. It really is that simple. Let's face it, to see something or to find "the hidden images" we tend to get closer and closer, don't we? And though it's true you will find many different additional layers of hidden images throughout DA VINCI'S art the closer you examine it; however, in doing so we've missed the most amazing illusions I have ever seen in my life. Let's take a step back from this painting and I'll show you what I mean.
Depending on the condition of your vision, you may need to actually stand up and view this painting from a few feet away. Or you can try placing a mirror at a right angle on either side of your computer screen, which will provide different viewing angles as well as some distance. As to the distance, that's something you'll have to experiment with, to find what works best for you. Remember, DA VINCI had a real thing about mirrors. His mirror style of handwriting, which required you to hold it up in front of a mirror to decipher his writing. However, it's not just a matter of reversing the image, but changing your viewing perspective, i.e., the actual angle from which you're viewing. I find it extremely interesting that in just about every work of art of DA VINCI'S you'll find at least one very distinct "arrow." I've theorized that perhaps DA VINCI was directing us to view that work of art from that side or angle. The only problem with that is, no matter what angle you view his works of art, you find hidden images from any and all angels! Anyway, here's an example:
Reversed with lighting enhanced. If you're not using a mirror as described above, you must allow yourself some distance, so I recommend standing a few feet from your computer screen to see this illusion. And don't forget to view from different angles as well.
Click on images for larger views if you need to, but be sure to allow yourself plenty of viewing distance.
Face outlined.
Reptile outlined. You may also begin noticing numbers and letters appear as if from no where as you look at this from different angles.
Profile of ape outlined.
Left profile outlined.
Hopefully you've been able to glimpse just one of these illusions clearly, enough to realize this is not a mere fluke or common anomaly occurring here. If not, I encourage you to keep looking.
Upside down. Some painting are easier than others and if you're just not see the illusions I'm describing, don't get discouraged. Finding the right distance and angle that's right for you will take some experimenting on your part.
Rotated reversed. Once you begin to grasp the overall concept of the illusion, you'll find it gets easier and easier to find the hidden images all on your own.
Ready to try another one?
VIRGIN WITH CHILD AND ST. ANNE: Leonardo da Vinci
Reversed with lighting enhanced. Sit back and stare intently. Tilting your head to the right, do you see a large right profile on the left side? How about a face in the tree? The number "3" just behind St. Anne?
Upside down.
Reversed rotated. Tilt your head slightly to the left, do you see the elephant or an arrow.
Reversed with color removed. This may help you see some of the images clearer. I find I lose sight of some of the images I saw earlier, but I see new ones.
Upside down. I see many new images here.
PORTRAIT OF A MUSICIAN: Leonardo da Vinci
This one may prove a bit more difficult, though the negative images further down should prove easy for anyone.
With lighting enhanced.
Rotated.
Upside down.
Negative cropped section.
Right click image for larger view. Notice all the numbers, letters, symbols?
Another cropped section.
Cropped section.
Another cropped section in negative.
And another cropped section. The unmistakable numbers, letters, symbols are everywhere!
Cropped section, with lighting enhanced.
republished from December 2006 archives.
Main page: http://www.n2davinciandbeyond.com/
N 2 DA VINCI AND BEYOND...
MADONNA OF THE ROCKS: LEONARDO DA VINCI 
I've slightly cropped this image which enabled me to show it larger and slightly adjusted lighting. 
Cropped and shown close up. Does anyone else see what appears to be the partial face of a woman with bright red lips?
Partial face outline in green.
And shown here up right in reverse image with slight lighting enhancement.
Profile of face outlined in green.
Shown close up. Profile of a woman with red lips, facing left? 
With infant removed. 
Try placing a mirror at a right angle to your computer screen, which allows distance and different viewing angles. Anyone who's ever heard much about DA VINCI knows he had a thing about mirrors.
Upside down. Each new angle reveals new hidden images.
Rotated.
Reverse. Remember to view from a distance to see the larger illusions of hidden images.
