The world famous painting "Mona Lisa" once again find itself at the center of a Da Vinci mystery, though this time the mystery is in the world of fact rather than fiction. By studying the painting up close through very powerful magnifying glasses, Italian scientists have thus discovered that the dark parts of the eyes of the Mona Lisa have additional secrets to tell: a series of letters and numbers the meaning of which is still unclear. While it sounds like a discovery strait out of the pages of Dan Browns Da Vinci mystery, in which the painting...
The world famous painting "Mona Lisa" once again find itself at the center of a Da Vinci mystery, though this time the mystery is in the world of fact rather than fiction. By studying the painting up close through very powerful magnifying glasses, Italian scientists have thus discovered that the dark parts of the eyes of the Mona Lisa have additional secrets to tell: a series of letters and numbers the meaning of which is still unclear.
While it sounds like a discovery strait out of the pages of Dan Browns Da Vinci mystery, in which the painting contains clues that lead to a quest for the Holy Grail, the new discovery is very real. The discovery was made by Silvano Vinceti, the head of the Italian committee for Cultural inheritage, who explained to the Daily Mail of Britain that the letters and numbers are so small that they cannot be seen with the naked eye. Only through the use of powerful magnifying equipment can the numbers and letters be seen, but then they can actually be seen quite clearly, though the exact letters can still be hard to see.
So far, it has been clearly established that the right pupil contains the letters LV, which could potentially be short for Leonardo da Vinci. The symbols in the left eyes are not as clear and no consensus on the exact letters has yet been agreed. It is however agreed that it could either be CE or CB. It has been speculated that these might be the initials of the female in the painting. While it has been widely speculated that the Mona Lisa is in fact a portrait of Lisa Gherardini, wife of Francesco del Giocondo, it has never been 100 pct firmly established. As such, the initials could potentially point towards a different subject in this portrait. The arch of the bridge in the background furthermore contains the writing 72 or L2.
As also mentioned by Silvano Vincenti, it should be kept in mind that the painting is almost 500 years old. As such, the numbers and letters are not as easily readable as when they were painted. However, there is absolutely no doubt that they were put there on purpose by Da Vinci.
The initiative for the current detail examination of the Mona Lisa started when another member of the Italian Commission for Cultural Inheritance found a book in an old book store talking about the use of symbols in the eyes of the Mona Lisa. It is well known that Da Vinci himself put special importance in the Mona Lisa and brought it with him everywhere. It is also well known that Da Vinci used symbols to send messages. The exact meaning of the newly discovered symbols in the eyes of the Mona Lisa has not yet been firmly established. Rest assured however, that scientists will be emerging themselves in this newest Da Vinci mystery and debate its meaning for years to come.
Metropolitan Art in Motion: A Cultural Odyssey
The allure of metropolitan areas for art aficionados often lies in the rich tapestry of cultural offerings, particularly the museums that house the world's artistic treasures. These urban centers boast an array of prestigious institutions, each with its own unique collections that beckon visitors from around the globe. From the Tate in London to the Louvre in Paris, the art world's grandeur is on full display. Yet, for those who seek an unparalleled museum experience, New York City stands as a cultural colossus, with the Metropolitan Museum of Art reigning supreme.
Thomas Cole and Titans Goblet
American painter Thomas Cole is best known for his detailed depictions of the American countryside, depicted in accordance with the tenets of Romanticism and Naturalism. As a founder of the Hudson River School, Cole was instrumental in this development and depiction of the American landscape. However, not all landscapes depicted by Cole were based on actual existing locations.
The Vagabond Prince
In the early 20th century, Paris was the center of the Avant-Garde art scene. Here, masters like Picasso and Matisse were practicing their crafts at the leading edge of artistic developments.
