Its Confirmed: Another Leonardo Masterpiece is Discovered - By: Aubrey Moulton

Experts believe they have found a new Leonardo da Vinci original. A Montreal-based forensic art expert Peter Paul Biro is certain that he has found another Leonardo masterpiece. In order to identify the artist, a century’s old-fingerprint on the presumed 19th-century German painting was compared to one found on a verified Leonardo. The fingerprints corresponded and the results have been reported.

The painting was procured in 2007 by a Canadian art enthusiast Peter Silverman for Swiss Collector, name withheld. The painting is of a young woman who looks like a German princess and is known as the "Profile of the Bella Principessa." Before being purchased in 2007 the painting was at the Ganz gallery in New York for several seasons.The painting held the price tag of $19,000. However, since the affirmation, the painting could now command at least $150 million.

This piece of art is the only major Leonardo discovery identified in over a century. Biro supports his findings by pointing out that the print of an index or middle finger was visible on the painting and that it matched a fingerprint found on Leonardo's "St. Jerome." Currently “St Jerome" is placed in the Vatican and with consent the firm was able to use multispectral images of the painting. The lab was then able to an advanced digital scanner to reveal successive layers of the work.

Apparently fingerprints are to be found in several of da Vinci's works. By taking advantage of multispectral imaging they were able to get a readable fingerprint from St. Jerome and contrast it with the fingerprint located on the "Profile of Bella Principessa" artwork. The results amazed the art world and the world at large.
Not only does the painting have Leonardo's fingerprint, but also his technique, style, and general makeup. Findings point to da Vinci himself. Experts were hesitant to unequivocally state it was a Leonardo, including the Swiss owner. However, the science has proven the theory to be correct and even curators at the British Museum are attesting the find.

Experts feel they have located a new Leonardo da Vinci original. A Montreal-based forensic art expert Peter Paul Biro is sure that he has found another Leonardo masterpiece. In order to identify the artist, a century’s old-fingerprint on the presumed 19th-century German painting was matched against one found on a verified Leonardo. The fingerprints corresponded and the results speak for themselves.

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