Sala delle Asse - Leonardo da Vinci

A fine art print of Leonardo da Vinci's illusionistic ceiling fresco in the Castello Sforzesco, depicting a canopy of mulberry branches.

The Sala delle Asse, located within the Castello Sforzesco in Milan, features a ceiling decoration executed by Leonardo da Vinci around 1498. Commissioned by Ludovico Sforza, the Duke of Milan, the work transforms the interior space into a simulated outdoor bower. Leonardo painted a dense canopy of mulberry tree branches that extend from the walls to the centre of the vaulted ceiling, where they interweave to form a complex knot pattern. The mulberry tree, or 'morone' in the local dialect, serves as a visual pun on the surname of the Duke, Ludovico il Moro.

The composition employs a sophisticated use of perspective to create the illusion of a natural pergola. The trunks of the trees appear to grow from the corners of the room, with their foliage spreading across the ceiling to obscure the structural architecture. Leonardo utilised tempera on plaster, a technique that allowed for the fine detail visible in the leaves, fruits, and golden ropes that bind the branches. The work demonstrates his interest in botanical observation and the mathematical precision of geometric knots, a recurring theme in his graphic studies.

Over the centuries, the fresco suffered from layers of overpainting and neglect. Restoration efforts have since removed these later additions, revealing the original brushwork and the monochromatic green palette that defines the scheme. The design reflects the courtly taste for naturalistic decoration, yet it remains distinct due to the intellectual rigour applied to the structural arrangement of the branches. This print captures the ceiling in its current state, offering a view of the illusionistic canopy that once surrounded the Duke and his court. It provides a rare opportunity to observe Leonardo's approach to interior decoration and his ability to integrate art with architectural space.