The mystery of where the Mona Lisa was painted might have finally been solved after a geologist and art historian claim to have track down the location of the world’s most famous painting.
In the 500 years since Leonardo Da Vinci painted the Mona Lisa, millions have discussed and debated the intrinsic details of his masterpiece. One such debate has been over the background of the painting and whether the view was imaginary or painted in a specific location in Italy.
Finally, geologist and Renaissance art historian Ann Pizzorusso believes she might finally have an answer to put the debate to rest.
Using both her fields of expertise, Ms Pizzorusso has analysed the background of the painting and she believes the painting might have been painted in the picturesque town of Lecco – situated on the shores of Lake Como.
The expert in the history of art believes Lecco’s Azzone Visconti bridge, which was built in the 14th century, is the same as the one in the background. It is also an area in the southwestern Alps which Da vinci is known to have visited.
Leonardo Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa. The mystery of where the Mona Lisa was painted might have finally been solved after a geologist and art historian claim to have track down the location of the world’s most famous painting
The city of Lecco in northern Italy. Ann Pizzorusso has analysed the background of the painting and she believes the painting might have been painted in the picturesque town of Lecco – situated on the shores of Lake Como
Ms Pizzorusso is convinced she has found the location of Da Vinci masterpiece by comparing the mountains in Lecco (left) with those depicted in the Mona Lisa (right)
However, focusing on the bridge is not enough. Other historians have made claims in the past that the background is that of the small town of Bobbio or the province of Arezzo which have similar bridges.
Ms Pizzorusso is convinced she has found the right location by focusing on other aspects of the landscape. Speaking to The Observer she said: ‘The arched bridge was ubiquitous throughout Italy and and many looked very similar. It is impossible to identify an exact location from a bridge alone. They all talk about the bridge and nobody talks about the geology.
‘Art historians said Leonardo always used his imagination, but you can give this picture to any geologist in the world and they’ll say what I’m saying about Lecco. Even a non-geologist can now see the similarities.’
As a geologist, Ms Pizzorusso claims the limestone mountains in Lecco are remarkably similar to the rocks grey-white one depicted in the Mona Lisa.
To confirm her theory, she visited Lecco herself and traced Da Vinci’s footsteps.
She said: ‘We know from his notebooks that he spent a lot of time exploring the Lecco area and the territory further north.’
Retracing Da Vinci’s steps, Ms Pizzorusso is convinced the Azzone Visconti bridge (left) is the same as the one depicted in the Mona Lisa (right)
Former Leonardo consultant to the Louvre, Jacques Franck, said: ‘I don’t doubt for one second that Pizzorusso is right in her theory, given her perfect knowledge of the geology of the Italian country – and more precisely of the places where Leonardo travelled in his lifetime, which could correspond to the mountainous landscape in the Mona Lisa.’
Ms Pizzorusso previously investigated whether Da Vinci had painted both versions of the Virgin of the Rocks which are displayed separately in the Louvre in Paris and the National Gallery in London.
Before 2010, it was widely believed that the painting in the National Gallery was the work of one of Da Vinci’s assistants. However, after it was restored the gallery and Ms Pizzorusso concluded it was possible Da Vinci painted all the picture himself.
Ms Pizzorusso will present her evidence at a geology conference in Lecco this weekend.