Mysterious 'Nude Mona Lisa'
may have been drawn by da Vinci
By James Rogers
Mysterious ‘Nude Mona Lisa’
possibly drawn by da Vinci
A mysterious painting titled
the ‘Nude Mona Lisa’ may have been drawn by Leonardo da Vinci.
A new analysis of a charcoal
drawing that has puzzled experts for centuries suggests that it was likely
created by Leonardo da Vinci.
The “Mona Vanna,” better
known as the "Nude Mona Lisa," was long thought to be from da Vinci’s
studio, AFP reports. However, analysis of the drawing at the C2RMF laboratory
beneath the famous Louvre Museum in Paris indicates that the famous artist
himself may have created the work.
The figure’s hands and body
bear similarities to the "Mona Lisa," and may have been used in da
Vinci’s preparations for the masterpiece. Citing microscopic exams of the work,
AFP reports that the “Mona Vanna” was drawn from top left to bottom right,
which indicates that it is the work of a left-handed artist such as da Vinci.
Purchased by the Duc d’Aumale
in 1862, the drawing is in the collection of the Condé Museum at the Chateau de
Chantilly, north of Paris.
“The Italian master spent a lot of time
perfecting his work,” explained the Domaine de Chantilly, in a statement
emailed to Fox News. Laboratory analysis shows that the Chantilly drawing
"was used as a tracing (to transfer the composition) for paintings
probably created in his workshop,” it added.
The “Mona Vanna,” sketch is
almost as large as the “Mona Lisa” itself. The famous painting is housed in the
Louvre.
2019 marks the 500th
anniversary of da Vinci’s death and the “Nude Mona Lisa” will feature
prominently in a Condé Museum exhibition this summer. “In the manner of a
police investigation, and in an immersive way, the visitor will discover the
results of the scientific analyses,” explained the Domaine de Chantilly, in its
statement
Da Vinci continues to be a
source of fascination. Later this year, The British Library in London is set to
showcase a number of Leonardo da Vinci's most important notebooks, all written
in his famous “mirror-writing.”
The "Leonardo da Vinci:
A Mind in Motion" exhibit will include notes and drawings from three of
his most revered scientific and artistic notebooks, the "Codex
Arundel," the "Codex Forster" and the "Codex
Leicester."
In addition to using his own
shorthand, da Vinci also wrote his personal notes starting on the right-hand
side of the page. It is not clear whether this so-called mirror writing was a
way to keep his notes private or simply a means to prevent smudging, as da
Vinci was left-handed.
Last year, experts in Italy
said they had found the earliest surviving work by da Vinci. The small glazed
terracotta tile, described as a self-portrait of the artist as the Archangel
Gabriel, was unveiled at a press conference in Rome.
However, the tile’s
authenticity was questioned by noted Leonardo expert Martin Kemp, professor
emeritus of the history of art at the University of Oxford.
There has even been some
debate about the authenticity of Da Vinci’s “Salvator Mundi” painting, which
sold for a record $450.3 million in 2017.
The painting grabbed
headlines around the world when it was sold at Christie’s auction house in New
York. "Salvator Mundi," Latin for "Savior of the World,” is one
of fewer than 20 paintings by da Vinci known to exist and the only one in
private hands.
The Associated Press
contributed to this article. Follow James Rogers on Twitter @jamesjrogers