Science and knowledge, lead to ever increasing understanding about Leonardo the artist and his paintings. It is “non- stop” with regard to discoveries surrounding this important artist (see my article “What art discoveries mean for the art world, international market place and lawyers…)
According to a recent article in the online edition of the Art Newspaper in March, recent scientific work on Leonardo’s paintings, in preparation for the forthcoming “Saint Anne, Leonardo da Vinci’s Ultimate Masterpiece” exhibition to be held from 29th March -25th June 2012 has led the Louvre experts to re-date the Mona Lisa from 1503-6 to 1503-1519.
It is now thought that The Virgin and Child with St Anne, the Prado’s copy of the Mona Lisa and the Louvre’s Mona Lisa could have all been painted shortly before the artist’s death in 1519.
For Leonardo fans, the back of The Virgin and Child with St Anne will be on show for the first time, revealing three recently discovered drawings.
For a small group of experts, the Prado’s Mona Lisa (which is going to be shown at the forthcoming exhibition) will be taken to the Louvre’s Mona Lisa and they will have an opportunity to examine the two Mona’s together. No doubt there will be more discoveries that emanate from this.
Watch this space for my forthcoming article on the recent developments in the hunt for the Lost Leonardo (the Battle of Anghiari.)