Leonardo da Vinci made studies of flowers that are called quaking grass (briza maxima).
Briza is a genus of annual and perennial plants in the grass family, native to northern temperate regions of Eurasia, North Africa, and certain islands in the Atlantic. The group is generally referred to as the quaking grasses because the flowers and seed heads shake on their stalks in the slightest breeze.
Knowing what type of flowers they are, we can now imagine these flowers and seed heads shaking their heads gently with the breeze, and the way da Vinci composed each flower and seed head on the paper makes them come alive with gentle movement too.
The first week of May is National Wildflower Week. Enjoy finding wildflowers in your areas!
Page of flower studies Alternate Title: Studies of the flowers of grass-like plants (briza maxima) Leonardo da Vinci, 1452-1519, Italian [artist] Plant that is also called quaking grass Pen and ink over metalpoint on brownish prepared paper 183 x 201 mm. Italian ca.1481-1483 Repository: Gallerie dell'Accademia di Venezia, Venice, Italy 237 HOLLIS number: olvwork218987
