This drawing of a naked woman may be the lost sketch that Da Vinci used to paint the Mona Lisa
It is known as the Mona Vanna or Mona Lisa. Until now it was believed that the drawing of this naked woman was the work of one of Leonardo's students. A new study suggests otherwise. La Gioconda Nude is not only the work of Da Vinci, but could serve as the basis for the famous Mona Lisa.
The charcoal sketch is part of the private collection of the Duke d'Aumale, but has just passed a full examination at the Center for Research and Restoration of the Museums of France. His technicians have found hints that prove that the Nude Gioconda is probably the work of Leonardo Da Vinci after all, at least in part. The headdress on the top of the sketch is made by a right hand person, but the rest was drawn by a lefty, and Leonardo was. What is clear is that the sketch is authentic, not like the dozens of drawings that circulate as a supposed base for the Mona Lisa.
On the other hand, the posture of the torso and the hand are practically a calque of those of the Mona Lisa. The technicians explain that all the characteristics of the sketch indicate that this is the preparation for an oil. The model that posed for both works also seems the same, at least both share their enigmatic smile.
Most likely Monna Vanna was a previous sketch that Da Vinci drew from the play and then some of his disciples completed as part of their studies. It is also possible that it was a sketch that he did in parallel and never came to carry oil.
It is believed that the model of the painting was Lisa Gherardini, wife of a Florentine merchant called Francesco del Giocondo, hence the nickname "Gioconda". Leonardo made the canvas by order but at the end did not deliver it and decided to keep it. It is not well known why the painter made this decision, but the sketch of Mrs. Gherardini points out that there is a whole story to tell about both works. French conservatives hope to reveal that story for 2019, the date of the 500th anniversary of Da Vinci's death. [via Forbes]