Monday, October 31, 2011

What was lost...is found. Or is it?


 

The 'discovery' of lost masterpieces continues, and this one in particular has been the subject of debate for many years. It is possibly by Leonardo da Vinci, in fact Martin Kemp, the Oxford art historian and one of the world's leading Da Vinci experts believes it is his La Bella Principessa.

This image shows it as it might have been produced, as a page in a book. (The paper has stitch marks where it would have been sewn into a book, and has been carbon dated to the right period but that proves nothing - earlier paper could be used at any time. More interesting would be analysis of the colours). An interesting article relates the differences of opinion which continues. If it turns out to be the real deal, Christies in New York will be embarrassed by their sale at a mere $21k.







What about this one, Salvator Mundi, which has been categorically authenticated and will be at the National Gallery exhibition starting soon. For the first time since its restoration the public can decide for themselves, and no doubt its presence will add to the great excitement generated by the coming together of so many Da Vinci masterpieces.

And, there is the hidden one in Palazzo Vecchio in Florence.... Forget Dan Brown, the real stories behind these paintings are all the more fascinating for being true.