" ‘He had progressively purified the syntax of his work throughout his career, finally reaching one supreme emotion that contains all others–and since some element of his sexuality crept into it, reason cannot always resist the overwhelming impression it conveys. John the Baptist leads to every temptation. I like to think that this was Leonardo’s last work–in some sense his final will and testament. His subject has ceased to be "a voice crying in the wilderness" He has reached the ultimate limits of human knowledge; he smiles and points at the source of evrything, which amazes him but which is unfathomable’."