16th century nude drawing found in France resembles Mona Lisa

Paris : A nude charcoal sketch of a woman from 16th century, believed to be made by Leonardo da Vinci of Mona Lisa, has been found in France, claim experts.

French government art experts are examining the painting to know if it has been drawn by Leonardo da Vinci, before creating his 16th Century masterpiece. 

After a month of analysis, the curators from the museum believe that the “drawing is at least in part” by Leonardo.

“The drawing has a quality in the way the face and hands are rendered that is truly remarkable. It is not a pale copy,” curator Mathieu Deldicque told AFP.

“We are looking at something which was worked on in parallel with the Mona Lisa at the end of Leonardo’s life,” he said.

“It is almost certainly a preparatory work for an oil painting,” he added, with the obvious inference being it is closely connected to the Mona Lisa.

The government-run Centre for Research and Restoration of the Museums of France says its experts are studying the sketch and that it will stay out of the public eye until the examination is complete.