A geologist and art historian, Ann Pizzorusso, claims to have unraveled a long-standing mystery surrounding Leonardo da Vinci’s iconic painting, the Mona Lisa.
Pizzorusso believes she has pinpointed the setting of the painting using her geological expertise.
Decades ago, Pizzorusso visited Lecco, a town on Lake Como in Italy, armed with Leonardo’s diary entries and drawings.
She found references to Lecco in Leonardo’s notes, where he worked as an engineer on a project that was later canceled.
Despite the project’s abandonment, Leonardo’s geological sketches remained, including a red chalk drawing of a mountain range near Lecco housed in the Royal Collection at Windsor, London.
While previous theories focused on the arched bridge in the painting, Pizzorusso emphasizes the distinctive rock formation in the background.
She explains that the sawtooth pattern of the mountains and the specific characteristics of the body of water behind Mona Lisa match those of Lecco and Lake Como, respectively.
Pizzorusso’s interdisciplinary approach, combining earth science and art history, aims to deepen the appreciation of Leonardo’s work.
She argues that understanding the geological context enriches the viewing experience and sheds light on the artist’s intentions.
Despite her long-held belief in the location’s accuracy, Pizzorusso only shared her theory with fellow Leonardo scholars until recently.
She has now returned to Lecco to present her findings at a geology conference.
While this discovery provides insight into the painting’s background, it also raises new questions about Leonardo’s choices.
Pizzorusso wonders why Leonardo placed the serene Mona Lisa in a rugged, alpine environment and what message he intended to convey through this juxtaposition.
The mystery surrounding the Mona Lisa, from her identity to the symbolism in the painting’s setting, continues to intrigue scholars and art enthusiasts alike.
Source-CNN
