The Antiques Trade Gazette reports that Leonardo da Vinci is in the frame for the authorship of a drawing previously thought to be by an obscure German master. That redoubtable art history sleuth Martin Kemp is on case, declaring it one of the most remarkable finds for years.
On first glance, I'd judge it to be similar to the Louvre's "La Belle Ferronière" of 1490- above- and maybe that unfinished drawing of Isabella d'Este by the master. Apart from the find itself, it's interesting how the forensic and the aesthetic have aided each other in the discovery of this work. Leonardo has well and truly been fingered by the experts who have matched a fingerprint from an autograph work with this one. Adding his weight to Kemp's authority, the forensic art expert, Peter Paul Brio, says that a finger print at the top left of this drawing matches one on the artist's St Jerome in the Vatican.
Perhaps it is too good to be true- for a more guarded response see Matthias Wivel's comments on the metabunker blog. For myself, I'm hoping that it does prove to be the genuine article, and Kemp is the world's leading expert on Leonardo. That must count for a lot.
Based on many factors other than a fingerprint, it is Bianca Sforza. Likely the German attribution controversy is probably because it was sent to Maximillan as an offering of what his future wife would look like, so it probably was in his family's hands for its early life.
Hopefully we will not find that fingerprints can be faked easily... as we found on the Lost Pollock.... (transferred fingerprint found by same scientist).... the can of worms could be huge.... again as long as the vellum is old and the fingerprint is in the underlayer (found with infrared scan) then we have a match.... all the best, ben sweeney
Posted by: Ben Sweeney | 10/15/2009 at 03:47 PM
Hi Ben- Thanks for the info. I'd forgotten about the Pollock. I'm fascinated by the 'CSI'aspect of the enquiry- best davidForget the rest, get the best- http://www.tiscali.co.uk/music
Posted by: Art History Today | 10/15/2009 at 05:53 PM
Interesting blog, can see you put allot of effort in to maintaining.
Posted by: bibi | 11/14/2009 at 08:27 PM
Message
Thanks
Bibi- Ill put a link to your site when Ive got time.
David
Posted by: Art History Today | 11/15/2009 at 09:55 AM
Interesting. I am always fascinated on things related to Leonardo Da Vinci. I'll keep reading your posts. Love the paintings. I learn a lot especially about design and principles
Posted by: lasertek | 12/14/2012 at 10:06 AM