Above: Copy after lost original, Leonardo da Vinci's Battaglia di Anghiari, by Rubens (c. 1603). Original fresco in the Palazzo della Signoria in Florence, executed in 1504-1505 and destroyed around 1560. Source: Public Domain.

The Battle of Anghiari, which took place on 29 June 1440, was a significant event in the context of the Wars in Lombardy that ravaged Italy from the mid-14th to the mid-16th century. The conflict was sparked by the competition between several Italian city-states, each seeking to expand their territories and exert their dominance over their rivals.

In this particular battle, the forces of Milan clashed with the League of some Italian states, led by the powerful Republic of Florence. The stakes were high, as the outcome of the skirmish could determine the balance of power in central Italy. The Milanese army, commanded by Francesco Piccinino, had a reputation for being strong and well-prepared. However, their opponents were not to be underestimated, as the Florentines had gathered a coalition of troops from several other cities, including Siena, Lucca, and Arezzo.

The battle started with a clash between the cavalries of both sides, which resulted in some casualties. However, the decisive moment came when the Florentine infantry, commanded by Niccolò Fortebraccio, managed to outmaneuver the Milanese troops and flank them from the rear. This unexpected move caught the Milanese by surprise and threw their formation into disarray. The Florentines seized the opportunity and launched a fierce attack, which ultimately led to the defeat of the Milanese.

The Battle of Anghiari was a significant victory for the Florentines, as it secured their domination of central Italy and enabled them to expand their territories further. The battle also marked the beginning of a new phase in the Wars in Lombardy, where the league of Italian states became more assertive and successful in opposing the hegemony of Milan.

Beyond its strategic significance, the Battle of Anghiari is also remembered for its artistic legacy. The famous painter Leonardo da Vinci was commissioned to create a mural depicting the battle, which was supposed to adorn the walls of the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence. Although the original mural was lost, some preparatory sketches and copies of it have survived, allowing us to admire the masterful composition and dynamic energy of da Vinci's work.

The work of art known as the Battle of Anghiari was intended to be one of the greatest masterpieces of the Renaissance. This planned painting by the revered artist, inventor, and visionary Leonardo da Vinci was to be located in the majestic Salone dei Cinquecento, or Hall of the Five Hundred, situated in Florence's Palazzo Vecchio.

The Battle of Anghiari depicts a tumultuous scene from the eponymous battle that took place in 1440. Four menacing and armored figures on horseback engage in a heated and dramatic struggle over possession of a standard. The painting's central action showcases the violent and chaotic nature of war, with these imposing warriors fiercely contesting for control of the pivotal object.

Da Vinci's technique for the Battle of Anghiari painting was ground-breaking. He used oil and dry pigment on plaster, but this unique approach proved to be too experimental, causing the painting to ultimately never reach its intended fruition.

Despite its incomplete status, the Battle of Anghiari remains a crucial piece of art history, and its influence has impacted countless works of art throughout the generations. The sheer magnitude of its conception, combined with da Vinci's skill as a painter, make this proposed work one of the most significant pieces of the Renaissance era, and a testament to the power of art to capture the essence of human struggle and resilience. - Scott Lyons, Ed.

Secondary sources:

Bauer, Susan W. The History of the Renaissance World: From the Rediscovery of Aristotle to the Conquest of Constantinople. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 2013.

Davies, Norman. Europe: A History. New York: Harper, 1996.

Simms, Brendan. Europe: The Struggle for Supremacy, from 1453 to the Present. New York: Basic Books (AZ), 2013.

Wilson, Peter H. Heart of Europe: A History of the Holy Roman Empire. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 2016.