Star of Bethlehem - by Leonardo da Vinci

An exquisite drawing of plant form, this Star of Bethlehem is dated around 1506-8 and is in pen and ink over red chalk underdrawing. The details of the blooms are clearly rendered and the intricate swirls of leaves are similar to some of Leonardo's studies of water movement, making a nice connection between the plant, which depends on water, and the shapes and patterns of swirls of water as they pass through constricted openings.

This image shows that Leonardo welcomed the problems of investigative drawing. There was nothing he could not turn his mind and hand to, and by observation, drawing and investigation of the facts he derived enormous pleasure and satisfaction from the mysteries of life.