The Struck Walnut Branch: An Emblem of Envy
A red-chalk moral emblem — the beaten walnut stands for the famous assailed by envy
A red-chalk drawing of a fruiting walnut branch fills the upper right of the sheet, illustrating one of Leonardo's moral emblems. The note explains that the walnut branch, struck and beaten only once it has brought its fruit to perfection, stands for those who, on account of the end of their famous works, are assailed by envy in various ways. A short motto, 'per ben fare' (for doing well), accompanies the image.
On this page
The beaten walnut as an emblem of envy
The walnut branch, struck and battered only after it has ripened its fruit, signifies those who, once their famous works are complete, are attacked by envy in diverse ways. The motto 'per ben fare' (for doing well) points the moral.
Fruiting walnut branch in red chalk
A branch heavy with clustered nuts and foliage is sketched in sanguine at the upper right of the page. It supplies the natural image for the accompanying allegory.