Leonardo was of the opinion that a person’s face shows his character, and put a lot of effort into illustrating this, drawing a multitude of faces in sketches and caricatures.
The wreath of ivy and the lion’s head, together, were then signs of Bacchus, but this drawing also illustrates the notion that a person’s face says something about his character.
A man like a lion – even threw a skin with the head of a lion on his shoulders, for comparison: a man whose face reminds such a lion, and the character is similar to him.
Related Paintings 
Warrior in helmet and armor by Leonardo da Vinci 
La tête d’un homme et d’un lion – Léonard de Vinci 
Landscape Arno by Leonardo da Vinci 
Madonna Litta by Leonardo Da Vinci 
Madonna with spinning wheel by Leonardo Da Vinci 
Self Portrait by Leonardo Da Vinci 
Portrait of a musician by Leonardo Da Vinci 
Portrait of Isabella de Este by Leonardo da Vinci
Warrior in helmet and armor by Leonardo da Vinci La tête d’un homme et d’un lion – Léonard de Vinci Landscape Arno by Leonardo da Vinci Madonna Litta by Leonardo Da Vinci Madonna with spinning wheel by Leonardo Da Vinci Self Portrait by Leonardo Da Vinci Portrait of a musician by Leonardo Da Vinci Portrait of Isabella de Este by Leonardo da Vinci