Scientists believe that they will be able to prove that this was the woman who modelled for Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece.
The ancient tomb in the heart of Florence has been opened by researchers and they believe that they will find the remains of Lisa Gioconda, the wife of a 16th century silk merchant and a neighbour of da Vinci, reports
the BBC. The bones will then be DNA tested to prove if they are from da Vinci’s model and then a computer graphics program will be used to generate a face from the skull before comparing it to the painting.
“For centuries, historians the world over have been coming up with various theories about who this enigmatic, mysterious woman could have been,” commented Silvano Vinceti, the head of Italy’s national committee for the Promotion of Historic and Cultural Heritage. “Was Gioconda the model for the Mona Lisa? Or was it some other model, as some people say? Or is it just a construction of the painter's fantasy?” he added for
Euronews. It is hoped that by using the computer generated face the enigmatic smile of the Mona Lisa can be attributed to Lisa Gioconda.
“We were very lucky I'd say, because not only is there a good amount of bone remains, but they are also disposed of in order at the bottom of the crypt, with a plate indicating they belong to the Gioconda family,” said Antonio Moretti, a geologist from L’Aquila University. Leonardo da Vinci's painting has been a constant source of fascination for art experts and now the real
Mona Lisa could be discovered.
