Learn English – The difference between of and by

prepositions

What is correct?

painting by Leonardo

or

Painting of Leonardo

Can the two propositions in this particular context be used interchangeably?

Added Context:

In a book I have found: the four portraits of Leonardo were painted on wooden panel, where the name of the book is Paintings of Leonardo da Vinci.

What if the name of the book would have been Paintings by Leonardo Da Vinci. Then should it be

  • The four portraits by Leonardo were painted on wooden panel

?

Best Answer

Both phrases are correct, but they have different meanings

A painting of Leonardo

is a painting where Leonardo is the subject of the painting

A painting by Leonardo

is a painting where Leonardo is the artist.

If you wanted to refer to the body of work by the artist

The paintings of Leonardo

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