Benois Madonna [SEP] creator
Benois Madonna
Madonna and Child with Flowers, otherwise known as the Benois Madonna, could be one of two Madonnas Leonardo da Vinci had commented on having started in October 1478. The other one could be "Madonna of the Carnation" from Munich.
It is likely that the "Benois Madonna" was the first work painted by Leonardo independently from his master Verrocchio. There are two of Leonardo's preliminary sketches for this piece in the British Museum, although the painting was probably overpainted by other hands. The preliminary sketches
museum. It became known as the "Madonna Benois". Benois published his "Memoirs" in two volumes in 1955.
In 1927 he left Russia and settled in Paris. He worked primarily as a set designer after settling in France.
Family.
Benois's son, Nicola Alexandrovich Benois (also known as Nikolai Benois), was born in 1901, and went on to become a celebrated opera designer, creating costumes and sets for opera companies all over the world.
Benois's nephew, Nikolai Albertovich