A French scientist claims to have discovered a different portrait hidden behind that of the Mona Lisa, following 10 years of analysis using reflective light technology. Pascal Cotte claims that Leonardo da Vinci’s most famous work contains a figure that has neither the direct gaze nor subtle smile that the painting is known for. The Mona Lisa currently hangs in the Louvre and is effectively the most valued painting in the world, its insurance – adjusted for inflation – being at $782 million. The museum has declined to comment on the scientist’s claims.
Hidden portrait ‘found under the Mona Lisa’, could lead to it being renamed | News | Culture | The Independent
Published by First Night Design
First Night Design 
I’ve heard this before, Sarah, what do you think? Will it ever be proven? Fascinating to me!
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I wonder! The fact that the museum has ‘declined to comment’ suggests they’re pretty sceptical about the claim. I guess that only if the museum sets in motion a similar investigation will we know the truth.
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There is a lot of $$$ at stake, so the general public may never know the real truth. Personally, I tend to believe it, as many of his paintings were painted over to save on canvas and other supplies. We may never know…
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I wonder if da Vinci was like a lot of other artists I know – painting over works that didn’t turn out how he liked. It’s fun to think of the masters as real people 🙂
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Yes!
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It’s going to cause quite a stushie in the art world – whether we ever learn the truth or not.
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Quite.
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If Leonardo doesn’t come back to tell us…
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Let me know if you catch sight of him in your neck of the woods!
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I’ve been lucky enough to see it at the Louvre.
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I would say I was envious but it’s never been one of my favourite paintings.
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It was great to see but it hasn’t connected with me in a way that others have. What’s the best painting you’ve seen face to face?
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Wow interesting!
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They always used to paint over their paintings so I wouldn’t be surprised. She will eventually disappear because she is painted on wood and the material in the paint will eventually just be gone.
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Indeed.
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How exciting! Artists regularly reused their canvases but I would love to see what is underneath. Perhaps Mona said that makes me look old/fat/shows my double chin?
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That’s given me the best laugh of the week. Thank you!
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You are welcome!
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What is the fuss about. Many paintings by the old masters will have another image beneath that was painted over. From what I saw it looked a pretty good picture but was obviously not one the Master preferred…or maybe he did but it wasn’t paid for. At the end of the day we have a painting that Leonardo presented to the world and which has become well loved. No-one is going to wipe it off to get to the image below so what does the image below matter?
xxx Massive Hugs xxx
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Then again, if the one below can be identified, there might be more of a story to research than who was the sitter for the one we know. Now that excited me! Hugs. xx
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Lots of features about this on the TV news recently. Like other visitors, I wasn’t that surprised, as painting over work was nothing unusual. I suppose when it involves such an iconic painting (which I don’t like that much, to be honest) there will always be a lot of attention.
Best wishes, Pete. x
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Just the name Mona is going to get everyone clucking away. I’ve never been enamoured of the painting either. x
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Heard of this a while ago so had to post it in full here Hidden portrait ‘found under the Mona Lisa’, could lead to it being renamed | ‘ Ace Friends News ‘
https://acefriendsnews.wordpress.com/2015/12/09/hidden-portrait-found-under-the-mona-lisa-could-lead-to-it-being-renamed/
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I read that myself. Mind you, he must have decided that the portrait we can easily see is the better one, otherwise he wouldn’t have painted over it, so possibly best to let sleeping brush strokes lie eh 🙂
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Doubtless.
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Ahh,we love a mystery … even if we have to manufacture one. 🙂
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Ha!
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I’ve learned to appreciate the Mona Lisa and why it’s so highly regarded…but ultimately, I’m kind of “meh” about it.
However, I like that there appears to be no end of “secrets” associated with this painting, whether real or not. In fact, I think I’m going to waste the rest of the morning doing an online search for all the theories associated with the Mona Lisa. I’m serious!
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Ooh, would you like to write a guest post with all you discover?
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Yes, I think I would. Thanks!
I think I’d like to take a bit a time on it…could I send it to you in January?
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That would be wonderful! Take all the time you need. Happy Weekend!
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