Researchers may have uncovered 'Russian' Mona Lisa

(ANSA) - Florence, December 9 - 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."