Lost da Vinci:
does the painting by Leonardo, found in Scotland, belong to?

For many years, this picture hung on the wall of the house of Fiona McLaren (Fiona McLaren), not representing special value for its owners. But according to experts, the painting received in 1960 by the father of Fiona as a gift from one of the patients can cost more than 100 million pounds.

A striking portrait depicting a woman with a small child, almost went to the trash, as he suffered during the repair work in the house Maklarenov. Experiencing financial difficulties, Fiona assigned the painting to an expert.

Auctioneer Harry Robertson (Harry Robertson), director of Sotheby’s in Scotland, was amazed and sent the picture to the experts of the old masters. Next year, the canvas will be provided for study by experts at the University of Cambridge to determine the exact age and authorship of the painting.

In the meantime, there is debate whether da Vinci, whom Sebastian Thewes, the ex-director of Christie’s in Scotland, considers the greatest reason in the history of mankind, was involved in painting. Professor Carlo Pedretti of the University of California says that the painting most likely belongs to a student of Leonardo and was painted in the late 16th century.

Attributed to Leonardo da Vinci - Magdalene

Supporters of the authorship version itself Leonardo provide the following evidence based on the master’s creative style: (A) the physical similarity between the boy in the picture and the children in the famous “Madonna in the Rocks”, (B) the V-shape in the middle of the woman’s hair, as in the picture “The Last Supper”, )C) Fleur-de-Lys - it is often said that this is the secret emblem of the Priory of Zion, (D) the area of the painting above the woman’s shoulder is not finished, which is typical for da Vinci’s painting, (E) the woman’s figure exactly corresponds to the position of one of the figures on “ Last Supper ”, (F) the second toe of the child is longer than the big toe One characteristic feature of Leonardo.

There is debate about who is depicted in the picture. Ms. Maclaren said that her father initially considered the Madonna and Child Jesus and John the Baptist depicted in the picture, but after spending decades studying the history of the work, she came to the conclusion that it was Mary Magdalene and her son. Fiona Maclaren believes that the true meaning of this work of art could have been masked because the Roman Catholic Church could have considered the plot heretical. All artists of that time were obliged to adhere to the pope’s decree that the Madonna can only be depicted in a blue robe, while the clothes of Mary Magdalene were “required” to be red. Leonardo, who excelled not only in painting, but also in mathematics, engineering, architecture, sculpture, music and other sciences, often encrypted the true meaning of his works, and the fact that a woman in a picture holds a carnation can be a symbol of marriage, - Another argument in favor of the Magdalene version.

A document was attached to the back of the painting, which experts considered a fragment of the papal bull belonging to Pope Paul V, the head of the Catholic Church in the early 17th century. The presence of such a document may indicate that the painting was commissioned by the church. Although most of the document has been lost, the word “Magdalene” can be read in the text.

Part of the proceeds from the sale of the painting, Fiona Maclaren plans to spend on charity assistance to children. She also expressed the hope that the canvas will go into the permanent exhibition of one of the museums, where it will be available to everyone.

Anna Sidorova