Art experts said Wednesday
they are examining whether a painting in a private collection in
St. Petersburg may be a previously undiscovered masterpiece by
Leonardo da Vinci.
The components of the colours in the painting are being
examined using infrared technology to determine whether it could
be the work of the Italian Renaissance painter.
"There are many indicators pointing to the Tuscan artistic
genius," said Silvano Vinceti, who is coordinating the research.
"But of course it's only a hypothesis."
The researchers are using a preparatory study for the Mona
Lisa that Carlo Pedretti, one of the most respected da Vinci
scholars, believes may show the Russian painting to be the work
of the Italian artist.
"When comparing the preparatory study from the Louvre and
the Russian painting, the overlap between the two was clear to
see," he said.
"[It's clear from] the columns, present in the Russian
painting and in the preparatory study, but also in the perfect
resemblance between the upper lip in the preparatory study, the
Russian painting and the Mona Lisa in the Louvre."
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA
