Earliest copy of Mona Lisa found in Spain
Earliest copy of Mona Lisa found in Spain
A copy of the Mona Lisa has been discovered in the Prado which was painted in Leonardo’s studio—created side by side with the original that now hangs in the Louvre. This sensational find will transform our understanding of the world’s most famous painting.
The National Gallery’s blockbuster exhibition could mark a turning point for Leonardo scholars
Conservators at the Prado in Madrid recently made an astonishing discovery, hidden beneath black overpaint. What was assumed to be a replica of the Mona Lisa made after Leonardo’s death had actually been painted by one of his key pupils, working alongside the master. The picture is more than just a studio copy—it changed as Leonardo developed his original composition.
The final traces of overpaint are now being removed by Prado conservators, revealing the fine details of the delicate Tuscan landscape, which mirrors the background of Leonardo’s masterpiece. Darkened varnish is also being painstakingly stripped away from the face of the Mona Lisa, giving a much more vivid impression of her enticing eyes and enigmatic smile.
In the Louvre’s original, which will not be cleaned in the foreseeable future, Lisa’s face is obscured by old, cracked varnish, making her appear almost middle aged. In the Prado copy we see her as she would have looked at the time—as a radiant young woman in her early 20s.
Leonardo da Vinci, and particularly his masterpiece the Mona Lisa, attracts endless sensationalist theories. However, the discovery of the contemporary copy has been accepted by the two key authorities, the Prado and the Louvre.
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- Posted on February 5, 2012
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I think it is very nice that this has been found. It shows the relationships between this one and the original. I also think it's nice to see the detail that was really behind this world famous paintings. It is very interesting that there are stories behind the Mona Lisa. Because it makes it that much more interesting to hear people's interpretations.
Having one of the rarest paintings in Spain can bring in many scholars across the world. Even though it may be painted by Leonardo's pupil, it still is a masterpiece.
According to Associated Press, on February 5, 2012, Leonardo’s studio in Prado in Madrid copy of the Mona Lisa has been discovered. This is important because earliest copy of Mona Lisa found in Spain.
It's strange that they thought it was just a replica but it actually had much more value. I think the student that painted it should be discovered. The painting in the Louvre should definitely be preserved, but don't we have some way to inspect that closer as well? The varnish could be removed somehow so the full detail of the painting is revealed.
It is amazing that there is a replica of one of the world's most famous paintings, but that is was not found until recently. Also, it is surprising that one of Da Vinci's students painted the replica. But what the article left out was a description of how they found the replica, or why it took so long to discover it.
I can't belive that they found a painting of Mona Lisa in Spian! I say that finding a painting of Mona Lisa is, a part of history. Finding some thing like that would make it legondairy! I want to see the painting badly. Do you? And would you belive that they found Mona Lisa? Because I do.
i think it is great that these people are actually starting to find these great historical artifacts they are very interesting to learn about and they are great for museums to display. nothing else to say
I think that this is a cool article. The Mona Lisa is a great piece of art made by a true genius. The Painting is worth so much money it's not even funny. My sister saw the painting when she went to Europe and she said it's even better in person.
They have fond a stanching dickey on the panting. They are do-din it. They are finding now thugs about it. And it is go to be Hort.
How come no one has found this painting before? It's been hundreds of years, his studio has probably been searched many times, and they just found this copy of the Mona Lisa today. How does that happen to someone as famous as Leonardo da Vinci? I'm glad they found it, but I still think it's weird that it took this long to do it.