More Secrets of Leonardo Da Vinci

In Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code, the authoruncovered.MORE MYSTERIESThis was not
refers to Da Vinci's painting, The Adoration of theSeracini's first "mystery" connected with Da Vinci's
Magi, which may conceal a hidden message. Thispaintings.In fact, one of his earliest commissions
painting was "lost" for over 100 years after Dawas from UCLA's Da Vinci expert, Professor
Vinci was commissioned by the friars of SanCarlo Pedretti. He asked Seracini to help find
Donato in Florence, Italy.In the era of Leonardoanother painting started by Da Vinci, the Battle of
Da Vinci, students apprenticed with a masterAnghiari, known at the time as Fight for the
artist such as Da Vinci or Michelangelo. ApprenticesFlag.According to Da Vinci's own notes, he began
copied the work of the master, and--once theythe painting in June 1505. A letter written in 1549
proved that they could mimic his style--they couldmentions the completed mural, with reference to
finish work that he started.To study Thethe importance of studying the horses closely, to
Adoration of the Magi, art expert Mauriziosee a "miraculous thing."However, in the 1560s,
Seracini--the only nonfictional character in The Dathe Medici family hired artist Giorgio Vasari (1511 -
Vinci Code--used ultrasound scans. He discovered1574)--one of Michelangelo's students--to cover
that Da Vinci did the underdrawing, but the paintthe Battle of Anghiari mural.Vasari could have
over Da Vinci's work was applied by someonepainted over the mural, but he probably didn't. The
else.Seracini commented, "Leonardo never meantproject would have been enormous. The Anghiari
the painting to look like this." In fact, Seracinimural is estimated to be about three times the
discovered a series of drawings, one layered oversize of Da Vinci's The Last Supper.Also, Vasari
the next.WHAT WAS COVEREDPreliminarywas an admirer of Da Vinci. Vasari once said
studies show a bloody battle in Da Vinci's originalabout him, "Leonardo da Vinci was a man of regal
work, but only two horsemen from that scene--inspirit and tremendous breadth of mind; and his
the upper right corner of the painting--are stillname became so famous that not only was he
visible.On Mary's left, there is an odd building,esteemed during his lifetime, but his reputation
usually described as a ruined palace. However,endured and became even greater after his
Seracini's studies reveal a lotus flower design atdeath."According to Seracini's studies, a brick wall
the top of a column, indicating Egyptianthat Vasari erected over the eastern side of the
architecture.In addition, a tree grows out of thebuilding--where Da Vinci's Battle of Anghiari mural
stonework, and craftsmen appear to be workingwas supposed to be--probably conceals the
on it. Seracini speculates that Da Vinci wasmural.On that wall, Vasari placed his own mural,
showing a Pagan temple being rebuilt.LITERALLY,Battle of Marciano in the Chiana Valley. As a clue,
A COVER-UPAccording to Seracini's studies, theVasari placed the message, "Cerca Trova" or--in
later painting may have been applied as much asEnglish--"Seek and you shall find," in his mural. This
50 years after Leonardo Da Vinci sketched it.Thefive-century-old message is the only one of its
big mystery is, of course, why?Did Da Vinci havekind in the painting.As of late 2005, more studies
a specific reason to stop working on this painting?are necessary before the Palazzo Vecchio
Was the cover-up a form of censorship?There ismuseum will approve the temporary removal of
evidence that Da Vinci expected someone tothe Vasari mural, to see what's behind the wall.It
tamper with his original design. He took themay reveal yet another clue to the mystery of
unusual step of sealing his underdrawing.It'sDa Vinci's messages, as described in Dan Brown's
impossible to conclude anything until moreThe Da Vinci Code.Fiona Broome is an artist, Celtic
studies--and perhaps more information--are(and Grail) historian, and writer.