Wreath of Laurel, Palm, and Juniper with a Scroll Inscribed Virtutem Forma (1474 - 1478) - Leonardo da Vinci - Canvas Print

“Wreath of Laurel, Palm, and Juniper with a Scroll Inscribed Virtutem Forma Decorat [Reverse]” unfurls like a private ceremonial garden against a dark, flecked ground. Slender laurel leaves, feathery palm fronds, and prickly juniper weave into an arch that is both graceful and slightly wild. A pale ribbon loops through the branches with the poise of a well-rehearsed herald, while the tiny red specks behind it make the darkness feel almost starry. This canvas print preserves the design’s curious mix of botanical patience and formal splendor.

Created around 1474–1478, this early work by Leonardo da Vinci turns a reverse side into a compact lesson in Renaissance symbolism. Laurel traditionally signals honor, palm suggests victory, and juniper brings its own sharp evergreen character to the party. The Latin phrase, meaning that beauty adorns virtue, sounds lofty enough for a medal but is delivered on a ribbon that cheerfully refuses to sit still. In this canvas print, the motto and foliage keep circling one another: moral philosophy, but with excellent leaves.