Fingerprint puts Leonardo in the frame

[emad]

Sophie Arie in Rome
Wednesday February 16, 2005
The Guardian


Adoration of the Christ Child by Leonardo da Vinci. Photo: AP/Italian Superintendence of Roman Museums


Art historians had always detected the style of Leonardo da Vinci in the mysterious painting Adoration of the Christ Child, which is regarded as a gem of the Renaissance.

But there was never any proof. Now a fingerprint discovered in the original paint may finally solve the puzzle.

Experts at Rome's Galleria Borghese, where the painting, widely known as the Tondo (Round), is housed, discovered the print after removing layers of varnish from the 500-year-old circular painting during restoration work last year.

"It didn't exactly jump out at first. I wouldn't have found it if I hadn't been using my microscope," said a restorer, Elizabetta Zatti. "But when I had cleaned down to the original paint, I noticed a slightly yellow patch in the top left part of the sky, right near the edge."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/italy/story/0,12576,1415336,00.html

[LisaLynne]

1. That's cool.

It's like a mystery, solved years later by art forensics. Hee hee. :)

[Gman]

4. God, I hope CBS doesn't make this another seriess

CSI Art...

[Az]

2. That crafty Da Vinci thought he could get away with it

But our modern techniques are too crafty for him. Another evil doer caught red handed by SCIENCE!!! :crazy: :freak:

[paineinthearse]

3. Similarly...

I watched a PBS show on the restoration of the Declaration of Independence. An hand print, person unknown, was similarly found.