Sketches by Leonardo Da Vinci, were found on the back of one of the master’s paintings that has been hanging in the Louvre for years. A curator at the Louvre Museum in Paris found the sketches when one of Da Vinci’s paintings was taken down as part of a restoration and study program. The Virgin and Child with Saint Anne shows drawings of part of a skull and a horse’s head on the back of the oil painting done on wood.
The painting was done in the early 1500’s and the discovery of the drawings, barely noticable to the naked eye, has caused quite a stir in the art world. Research is being done to verify that the sketches are indeed those of the Italian master, and the museum is being very cautious before officially saying that they are. However, the style is said to be that of Leonardo Da Vinci and the sketches resemble other finished works by the artist, so for all intents and purposes they are supposedly his.
Examination of the drawings in the Louvre laboratory has revealed yet a third sketch, one of the Baby Jesus and a lamb. In a statement given by Vincent Pomarède, head of the painting department at the world famous museum, the finding of these drawings were “both moving and amusing” and are considered to be ”an exceptional discovery” to say the least!
Maya Muses: Hmm,…will they now start taking down the thousands of paintings one by one in hopes of discovering more amazing finds? Could be!
I like to look for old paintings in attics, ateliers, or even flea markets with the hope of finding some unnoticed masterpiece! Yes, I know….the odds are even less likely than winning the lottery, but there’s no harm in dreaming!
6 responses so far ↓
1 Mia // Dec 21, 2008 at 9:28 pm
To dream is good!So,keep on dreaming…
The world are made of dreams,so let us start dream of a magical,beautiful,loving,happy world…
This tells me something…You never know what you will find, if you look behind,under,or inside something…There may be hidden treasures!
2 Lynn // Dec 22, 2008 at 1:29 am
Sometimes hidden treasures are right in front of your eyes and you don’t know it! There was this old man who use to have a blanket on his easy chair that he used all the time. He didn’t realize that the blanket use to belong to an Indian Navajo chief back in the 1800’s. It was only an old blanket to him that had been in his family for a long, long time. Anyway, the blanket was worth over $350,000.00!!! Can you imagine?!!!
On television, they asked him what he was going to do with it now that he knew how valuable it was. Was he going to sell it, put it a safe in the bank, etc.? He said, “I’m going to put my blanket back on my chair.” LOL!!! (True story!)
3 louisa // Dec 23, 2008 at 3:00 am
how fun to find a hidden treasure from an incredible man so long ago. my mother showed me that we all have hidden treasures within us all. one of mine has been singing. it may not be valuable to many others but to those in my family and myself it has value. ps sarah says hi. she has discovered a hidden talent within herself recently- she loves to ride and take care of horses. merry xmas to you and patrick love louisa
4 Lynn // Dec 24, 2008 at 1:56 am
Hi Louisa, Tell Sarah she’s like Katarina! She’s also riding horses all the time and takes care of them. As a matter of fact, I think she’s hoping her dad will buy her a horse for Christmas!!!
Merry Christmas to you and tell, Sarah, Abbey, Kelsey and Rick that Patrick and I wish all of you a Merry Christmas as well!
5 Ada // May 10, 2009 at 3:47 pm
Is not great to have one of a great master’s? A gift of one who is not seen? Why, I know many persons who would die for such a thing. This masterpiece, no matter small, or big, is equal to this find. This sketch is precious, even though it seems worthless. This mystery is yet to be solved. I will wait for the results.
-written by a 10-year-old-girl
6 Lynn // May 11, 2009 at 1:37 am
Hi Ada, you’re right the discovery of these sketches are precious, but they don’t seem worthless, they’re priceless and I’m glad you recognize that at your age!
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