Leonardo da Vinci painting lost for centuries

[Big Bad Voodoo]

It was lost for so long that it had assumed mythical status for art historians. Some doubted whether it even existed.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/italy/10356401/Leonardo-da-Vinci-painting-lost-for-centuries-found-in-Swiss-bank-vault.html

[PersonFromPorlock]

Not a very good painting, though, unless it looks a lot better 'in the flesh'. That thingummy in her hand looks like a paint-by-the-numbers job.

[Big Bad Voodoo]

Who cares if is Da Vinci? It worth millions.

[highdesert50]

It is interesting that although Isabella d'Este was one of the leading women of the Italian Renaissance, it was the commissioned artist who became the memorable figure of importance.

[stiver]

I'm afraid the above illustration is part of the previously known drawing in the Louvre. part of the painting with good explanations can be seen in The Guardian bit.ly/GCMD31

Regarding the bad drawing of the hand - No body knew human proportions like Leonardo knew. No one could draw human hands as he could. If he drew them wrong that certainly was for a reason, which could be very prosaic sometimes. For example, he planned to paint a full 3/4 bust portrait and the above was only the initial quick sketch. However he run out of space on the paper and included the hand as a "note" to himself. This is just one theory but it can explain the "bad" drawing and makes more sense than Leonardo suddenly drawing like a child. BTW, I personally like the sketch a lot more than the painting.

[CRIPTIC CHAMELEON]

Hmm I'm sensing some type of conspiracy theory or a hidden code.

[coolguy]

Awesome pix.great find

[Big Bad Voodoo]

I'm afraid the above illustration is part of the previously known drawing in the Louvre. part of the painting with good explanations can be seen in The Guardian bit.ly/GCMD31

Regarding the bad drawing of the hand - No body knew human proportions like Leonardo knew. No one could draw human hands as he could. If he drew them wrong that certainly was for a reason, which could be very prosaic sometimes. For example, he planned to paint a full 3/4 bust portrait and the above was only the initial quick sketch. However he run out of space on the paper and included the hand as a "note" to himself. This is just one theory but it can explain the "bad" drawing and makes more sense than Leonardo suddenly drawing like a child. BTW, I personally like the sketch a lot more than the painting.

Imho without Vasari neither Leonardo neither Michelangello would be as they are. I think he gave them value. I could be wrong.

BTW welcome to UM!

[The_Student]

Without the previously attributed sketch, there isn't much that marks this out as a Da Vinci. It isn't very well executed and nowhere near as sophisticated as his other paintings.

[Stegosaurus]

Guys, this IS the sketch. Just search on Google and you will find the actual painting.

[hollistrum]

Very cool find!