The Mona Lisa, shrouded in mystery for centuries, may have finally yielded one of its secrets thanks to a geology expert.Ann Pizzorusso, an Italian geologist with a specialty in Renaissance art, believes she has pinpointed the location depicted in the famous painting using her geological knowledge.
From Geological Expertise to Art History Revelation
Pizzorusso, armed with Leonardo da Vinci's diary entries and drawings, conducted a personal investigation decades ago.She believes the key lies in the town of Lecco, on the southeastern shore of Italy's Lake Como. "His notebook mentions being in Lecco," she explained in a phone interview with CNN. "He was working as an engineer" at the time.
Beyond Bridges: Mountains Hold the Clue
While others have focused on the painting's arched bridge, Pizzorusso argues that the unique rock formations in the background hold greater significance. "Bridges can be found in many places," she says. "But the pinnacles – that's a specific type of erosion that happens in fractured limestone, breaking off in blocks with a sawtooth pattern. We can find limestone like that in Lecco, and the mountains in the Mona Lisa background clearly show this pattern."
Lake Como: A Geological Match
The body of water behind the Mona Lisa also holds geological clues, Pizzorusso believes. She argues that it depicts Lake Como, a subalpine glacial lake formed roughly 10,000 years ago. "The elongated glacial lakes with their finger-like shapes are a giveaway," she explains. "That's how glaciers carve out the landscape."
Pizzorusso: A First Among Geologists
This theory adds a new perspective to the ongoing debate about the Mona Lisa's setting. While art historians have previously proposed locations like Bobbio and Arezzo, Pizzorusso is the first to leverage geological expertise to crack the code.
A Revelation or Just Another Theory?
Only time will tell if Pizzorusso's claim will be accepted by the art world. However, her unique approach highlights the potential for interdisciplinary collaboration in unlocking the mysteries of art history.
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Source: CNN
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