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Da Vinci Fingerprint IDs Lost Painting

15th-century portrait hailed as most important Da Vinci find in a century

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 13, 2009 5:55 AM CDT

(Newser) – A painting bought for $19,000 by a Canadian dealer two years ago has been valued at $150 million after it was determined to be a work by Leonardo Da Vinci. Carbon dating and infrared techniques convinced experts that the portrait on vellum was a genuine Da Vinci. The final proof came when analysis found a fingerprint "highly comparable” to one on the artist's painting, St. Jerome.

“It all sounded too good to be true—after 40 years in the Leonardo business, I thought I’d seen it all,” one art professor told the Times.of London. As his research continued, though, “all the bits fell into place like a well-made piece of furniture. All the drawers slotted in.” The portrait is the first major Da Vinci find in more than a century.

Leonardo Da Vinci's fingerprint was found in the top left corner of this painting.
Leonardo Da Vinci's fingerprint was found in the top left corner of this painting.   (Lumière Technology )
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 8 comments
Count-Spatula
Dec 31, 2009 11:16 AM CST
I couldn't afford it when it was $19,000.
Count-Spatula
Dec 31, 2009 11:16 AM CST
Pfft... name one da Vinci painting this looks like Janniel, you pompous ass.
bewilderbeast
Oct 14, 2009 11:55 AM CDT
"Art is like handwriting, you sort of know familiar handwriting when you see it". Yep - and forgers have capitalised on that "fact" for centuries! Also: If the experts say it's NOT Leonardo's: $19 000; If they say it IS: Hey!!! $$Gazillions in commission! I think I'd bend towards "genuine" as my verdict if I was an art expert, no? LOL

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