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The black-and-white drawing of a woman, nude
from the waist up, known as the Monna Vanna, was previously
attributed to Leonardo's studio, suggesting it was done in his
style by a pupil or follower, not by the master himself.
But after preliminary tests at the Louvre Museum, experts
believe the sketch may well have been drawn by Leonardo.
Among the signs, according to curator Mathieu Deldicque, are the
fact the drawing was made during the same period as the Mona
Lisa, the paper is from the same region of Italy, and the
technique is very similar to that of the Mona Lisa.
"We know the drawing was made during the lifetime of Leonardo da
Vinci, we know that the paper was made in Italy, between Venice
and Florence, and the third discovery is the high quality of
this drawing in the face of the Monna Vanna and in her arms,"
Deldicque told reporters.
"That's very interesting because the arms are the same as the
Mona Lisa's."
Leonardo, who lived from 1452 to 1519, was an engineer,
scientist, inventor and sculptor, as well as one of the finest
artists of the Italian Renaissance.
He painted the Mona Lisa, also known as La Gioconda and regarded
as the world's most valuable artwork, at the beginning of the
16th century. It is believed to depict Lisa Gherardini, the wife
of a successful merchant.
EXCITING
The charcoal portrait, in which the woman is holding a similar
pose to the Mona Lisa but with her body more side-on and her
head turned further over her left shoulder, has been held in a
collection at the Conde Museum at the Palace of Chantilly, north
of Paris, since 1862.
The Mona Lisa and Monna Vanna hold their hands in very similar
ways, the right hand across the left and resting on the forearm,
the fingers gently extended.
Deldicque said that while it was exciting to think the charcoal
drawing was created by Leonardo, there were more tests to be
done.
"We have one more month of analysis and then a very slow process
of history of art with a collection of analysts and advice by
specialists," he said.
It is possible that process will determine that the authorship
is the same. But it may also be inconclusive, he said, adding:
"Maybe the mystery will remain."
(Additional reporting by Tatiana Chadenat; Editing by Andrew
Bolton)
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