The stone bridge in the background of Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa has been discovered as a Tuscan beauty spot.
Art historian Silvano Vinceti believes the viaduct depicted in the 16th-century painting is the Romito Bridge that used to span the Arno River in the small Italian village of Laterina, The Telegraph reported.
He claimed to have “no doubt” that he correctly identified the four-arched bridge after analyzing historical documents and drone footage and comparing Da Vinci’s artwork to photographs of the area.
It has previously been claimed that da Vinci modeled the bridge after structures in Bobbio and Buriano, both of which are in Tuscany. However, Vinceti argued that neither bridge had four arches.
While it may never be proven with certainty which bridge the Renaissance artist intended to depict, Laterina’s mayor, Simona Neri, hopes the possible link to da Vinci will draw tourists to the village.
The bridge and cliff have been identified as the Romito Bridge (top right) and these clay pinnacles ten miles away from the bridge
Silvano Vinceti believes the viaduct depicted in the 16th-century painting (right) is the Romito Bridge (left) that used to span the Arno River in the small Italian village of Laterina
Pictured: Map shows the location of the two landmarks said to be depicted in the Mona Lisa
Historians believe that the Romito Bridge, which now has only one intact arch, used to have four arches – like the bridge in Da Vinci’s painting.
It is believed that the arch was badly damaged in the 18th century, probably by a flood. It is said that the foundation of the supposed fourth arch can still be found in the undergrowth on the other side of the river bank.
Mr. Vinceti also reportedly measured the width between the riverbanks and the size of the remaining arch to determine if it would fit four arches.
The art historian added that the Romito was built between two sheer cliffs, similar to what is depicted on the Mona Lisa.
The painting also shows a bend in the river that Mr. Vinceti claims corresponds to the bend of the Arno at the location of the Romito Bridge.
“Instead, we’re convinced it’s Laterina’s,” he said. “We have all the evidence that this is the bridge depicted in the Mona Lisa.”
As for the craggy cliffs that appear on the left side of the masterpiece, just over the subject’s right shoulder, Mr. Vinceti suspects that this is a cluster of eroded clay pinnacles that still exist in the upper valley of Arno.
They can be found about 10 miles away from the ruins of the bridge at Laterina.
The unusual rock formation is found in Upper Valdarno, a valley that develops around the bed of the River Arno, halfway between Florence, Siena and Arezzo.
The stone bridge in the background of Leonardo da Vinci’s famous Mona Lisa painting has been discovered as a Tuscan beauty spot, an art historian has claimed
Left: The sheer stone cliffs pictured to the left of the Mona Lisa, which Silvano Vinceti has suggested are le balze dell’acqua zolfina (the rocks of the sulphurous waters). Right: The stone bridge to the right of the Mona Lisa
These clay towers are located fifteen kilometers from the Romito Bridge. The unusual rock formation (called le balze dell’acqua zolfina) is found in Upper Valdarno, a valley that develops around the bed of the river Arno, halfway between Florence, Siena and Arezzo
Known locally as le balze dell’acqua zolfina (the rocks of the sulphurous waters), the formation (pictured) is believed to have been formed by erosion from a lake that drained some two million years ago
Known locally as le balze dell’acqua zolfina (the rocks of the sulphurous waters), the formation is believed to have been formed by erosion from a lake that drained some two million years ago.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Neri hopes the discovery will attract tourists to Laterina.
She expects the village to enter into a “friendly competition” with other villages that claimed to be home to the Mona Lisa bridge.
The mayor wants to make sure the “remaining arch is protected” and told the Telegraph that “there are plans for a walking and cycling path along the Arno River, so the bridge could be an important part of that new route.”