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Bust found in rubbish 'is by Leonardo Da Vinci'
Nick Pisa in Rome26 Mar 2009
A 600-year-old terracotta bust found beneath a pile of rubbish in an Italian palazzo may be the work of Leonardo Da Vinci.
The work, showing a sorrowful-looking man believed to be St Jerome, is thought to be by the Renaissance master because of its exquisite craftsmanship, expressive power and realism.
Initially the bust, found in the Palazzo Chigi Saracini in Siena, was thought to be by Andrea del Verrocchio (1435-1488), who worked at the court of Lorenzo de' Medici in nearby Florence.
The nose, forehead and ears are damaged but Perugia University historian Giancarlo Gentilini said there was a "strong possibility" it was by Da Vinci.
He said: "It probably wasn't an autonomous work but an exercise in anatomy and physiognomy, a model to study, draw and eventually translate into painting or sculpture."
The skull is similar to Da Vinci's painting of St Jerome in the Wilderness which hangs in the Vatican Museum.
Reader views (2)
This in effect my be one of another examples of the variant styles in which Leonardo drew or either, an unfortunate act of creative duplicity designed to generate some hype and auction interest. I sincerely hope that the latter is not the case. Any attention and interest given to the work of Leonardo should be seen as a enlightening, in spite of some of the bizarre concoctions that have appeared in recent years. Much of his life and work remain an intricate mystery wrapped in an enigma and any true light shed on his personage and the matrix of his creative process is a welcome gift.
- Dave Pritchard, london England, 05/04/2009 10:09
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so that's where i left it!
- M.O'Brien, london.uk, 26/03/2009 15:46
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