Unknown drawing by Leonardo da Vinci discovered in Italy
Italian art historians have discovered a supposedly previously unknown work by Leonardo da Vinci. This is a sketch of Jesus Christ strikingly similar to the Mona Lisa, according to The Daily Telegraph.
“This is an amazingly beautiful and refined work, and I am absolutely convinced that this is a sketch by Leonardo,” said Italian art critic Annalisa Di Maria, who studied the painting.
Laboratory studies have shown that the drawing dates back to the early 16th century. Let us recall that Da Vinci was born in 1452. In 1495 – 1498 he wrote The Last Supper, in 1502 – 1516 – Mona Lisa. In 1516, the artist moved to France, where he died three years later.
The experts said that, in addition to the coinciding date, there are many details that indicate Leonardo's hand: the characteristic pose of the figure (at a three-quarter angle in relation to the viewer), dynamism and a sense of movement, red chalk (the artist often used this material). Christ's beard and eyes are “almost identical” to those that Leonardo has depicted in his other portraits.
The sketch is currently in the possession of two collectors from the northern Italian city of Lecco. It is not known where it has been stored over the past years.
Experts note that the authorship of Leonardo has not yet been officially confirmed. They plan to conduct a full study and present the results at a conference when the coronavirus pandemic ends.
Earlier it was reported that a hidden sketch was found under the portrait of La Gioconda. It was applied with coal.
