The Mona Lisa code: is a Leonardo under the surface?
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Experts believe they are close to confirming that a lost Leonardo da Vinci masterpiece is hidden in the cavity of a medieval Italian building.
Leonardo's legendary Battle of Anghiari is thought to lie behind the walls of Florence's Palazzo Vecchio town hall. Another Renaissance artist, Giorgio Vasari, was ordered to paint over it in 1563, but it is believed he constructed a new wall over the fresco instead.
In 2005 art detective Maurizio Seracini found evidence of a slim cavity behind Vasari's fresco, The Battle of Marciano, and for the last three months he has used a gamma camera to probe behind the wall without tampering with the Vasari painting. It appears to have paid off, with the discovery of paint of the type used for the Mona Lisa.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments