Michael Angelo's Leda hung at Fontainebleau until the time of Louis XIII., when a Minister of State, M.
Desnoyers, ordered its destruction, as it seemed to him to be an improper picture.

Pierre Mariette informs us that the picture was only hidden away, and that it reappeared and was seen by him.

It was restored and sent to England.

In the offices of the National Gallery is the best edition of this picture.

The head and arm are repainted, but the thigh and hip are modelled in a magnificent style that reminds us of the figure of Night in the Medician tombs that he was at this very time carving.