Though a sketch exists to connect Leonardo with this painting, its attribution to Leonardo has been a great source of controversy. There is little doubt he had a hand in the unsigned Madonna Litta, but it is awkwardly composed and more than likely was completed by his pupil Boltraffio, around 1480-1490. It is likely that Leonardo designed the pose for this work, and completed the Virgin's head, with the rest of the painting being completed by Boltraffio, under the supervision of the master.