Was Mona Lisa smiling in THIS city? How mountains and bridge may offer clues to the location of Da Vinci’s famous painting

The mystery of where the Mona Lisa was painted could finally be solved after a geologist and art historian claims to have tracked down the location of the world’s most famous painting.

In the 500 years since Leonardo Da Vinci painted the Mona Lisa, millions of people have discussed and debated the intrinsic details of his masterpiece. One of those discussions was about the background of the painting and whether the view was imaginary or painted in a specific location in Italy.

Finally, geologist and Renaissance art historian Ann Pizzorusso believes she may finally have an answer to end the debate.

Using both of her areas of expertise, Ms. Pizzorusso has analyzed the background of the painting and believes that the painting could have been painted in the picturesque town of Lecco, located on the shores of Lake Como.

The art history connoisseur believes that the Azzone Visconti Bridge of Lecco, built in the 14th century, is the same as the one in the background. It is also an area in the Southwestern Alps that Da Vinci is known to have visited.

The city of Lecco in northern Italy. Ann Pizzorusso has analyzed the background of the painting and believes that the painting could have been painted in the picturesque town of Lecco, located on the shores of Lake Como.

Ms Pizzorusso is convinced she has found the location of Da Vinci’s masterpiece by comparing the mountains in Lecco (left) with those depicted in the Mona Lisa (right).

However, focusing on the bridge is not enough. Other historians have claimed in the past that the background is that of the small town of Bobbio or the province of Arezzo, which have similar bridges.

Ms Pizzorusso is confident she has found the right location by focusing on other aspects of the landscape. Speaking to The Observer, she said: ‘The arch bridge was ubiquitous throughout Italy and many looked very similar. It is impossible to determine an exact location from a bridge alone. They all talk about the bridge and no one talks about the geology.

‘Art historians said that Leonardo always used his imagination, but you can give this picture to any geologist in the world and they will say what I say about Lecco. Even a non-geologist now sees the similarities.’

As a geologist, Ms. Pizzorusso claims that the limestone mountains in Lecco look remarkably similar to the gray-white rocks depicted in the Mona Lisa.

To confirm her theory, she visited Lecco herself and followed Da Vinci’s footsteps.

She said: ‘We know from his notebooks that he spent a lot of time exploring the Lecco area and the area further north.’

Ms. Pizzorusso retraces Da Vinci’s steps and is convinced that the Azzone Visconti Bridge (left) is the same as the one depicted in the Mona Lisa (right)

Former Leonardo consultant at the Louvre, Jacques Franck, said: ‘I don’t doubt for a second that Pizzorusso is right in her theory, given her perfect knowledge of the geology of the Italian country – and more specifically of the places where Leonardo traveled. during his lifetime, which could correspond to the mountainous landscape in the Mona Lisa.’

Ms Pizzorusso previously investigated whether da Vinci had painted both versions of the Virgin of the Rocks, which are exhibited separately at the Louvre in Paris and the National Gallery in London.

Before 2010, the painting in the National Gallery was widely believed to be the work of one of da Vinci’s assistants. However, after the gallery was restored, Ms. Pizzorusso concluded that it was possible that Da Vinci painted the entire picture himself.

Ms Pizzorusso will present her evidence at a geology conference in Lecco this weekend.