The earliest ever copy of Leonardo Da Vinci's iconic Mona Lisa has been discovered in Marid's Prado museum. Previously thought to be one of many 16th and 17th century reproductions, analysis revealed that the black background had been added later. As the black paint was carefully removed the Tuscan landscape visible in the original was revealed, reports the Art Newspaper (visible in opening picture above). The exciting news for the art world is that the same changes in composition appear, suggesting that the copy was painted by one of Da Vinci's students working alongside his master. “The underdrawing of the Madrid replica was similar to that of the Mona Lisa before it was finished. This suggests that the original and the copy were begun at the same time and painted next to each other, as the work evolved,” reads the Art Newspaper report. According to Spanish newspaper El Pais, experts think that it was painted by one of Da Vinci's favorite pupils and give two possible candidates, Andrea Salai and Francesco Melzi. Andrea Salai is believed by many to have been one of Da Vinci's lovers.

Much of the detail in the world's most famous painting is lost due to severe cracking and deterioration. It is too fragile to risk restoring, but the copy shows what details in Da Vinci's Mona Lisa could have originally looked like. The Mona Lisa herself appears younger in the copy, as a woman in her early 20s, deterioration in the original has in effect aged her. Only a small part of the copy is yet to be restored and the painting is expected to be on display in the Prado by mid February. The painting will also be loaned to the Louvre and exhibited with Da Vinci's Mona Lisa at the upcoming exhibition, 'Leonardo’s Last Masterpiece: The Sainte Anne,' between March 29 and June 25.

Read the Art Newspaper article here ( In English ). Compare the original and the copy with the image tool on the El Pais website ( Text in Spanish ).

Liam Lever, liam@romania-insider.com 

(photo source: Prado National Museum)