The Knot Pattern Found on the "Earlier Version Mona Lisa" Is Not by the Hand of Leonardo da Vinci

Caroline Cocciardi author of "Leonardo's Knots"

NBC's "Today Show" reported as to the possibility of an earlier version by the hand of Renaissance artist Leonardo da Vinci of "Mona Lisa," the most famous painting in the world. The consortium who purchased the so-called "Isleworth Mona Lisa" and changed the painting's name to "Earlier Version Mona Lisa" claims it is by the maestro. While some experts suggest the painting is a mere copy, a handful of art historians believe it to be an earlier, unfinished version by Leonardo da Vinci himself.

Caroline Cocciardi, the author of "Leonardo's Knots" claims she can prove the knot pattern to be found on the "Earlier Version Mona Lisa" is not by the hand of Leonardo da Vinci. 

"We have several knot drawings done by Leonardo da Vinci in 1490, the year this so-called 'Earlier Version Mona Lisa' was supposedly painted. Leonardo was at the top of his game mixing artistic design with elaborate mathematical patterns. We have five Codex notebook pages by Leonardo that are standalone mathematical knot gems."

Cocciardi adds, "Leonardo's knots are his personal signature. No copyist has successfully captured the intricacies of the 'Mona Lisa Knot,' which have been painstakingly and brilliantly executed. Whoever painted the knots on 'The Earlier Mona Lisa' was a journeyman at best and demonstrated no knowledge of mathematics."

Knot mathematician Emeritus Professor Kenneth C. Millet, Department of Mathematics, University of California, Santa Barbara, conducted a mathematical analysis of Leonardo's knot art, such as the "Mona Lisa Knot" found on the bodice of her dress. Professor Millet's findings were published in the "Journal of Mathematics and the Arts." "Leonardo da Vinci as an artist and as a mathematician was in a league of his own, a master in complex knotted designs," explains Professor Millet.

In an interview given to "The Art Newspaper" Martin Kemp, author of the newly released book "Leonardo's Salvator Mundi," agrees with Cocciardi's knot findings. Kemp goes on describing "sloppily executed elements—such as the mistake in the interlaced knot design on the crossed bands, or the clumsy folds at the top of the robe," errors that Kemp attributes to an assistant.

Cocciardi doubles down, "When you see the interlocking complexity executed in 'Accademia Vinciana' six mandalas you see Leonardo's genius displayed on the most miniscule of scales. Leonardo's knot art speaks for itself."

"Art history, mathematical analysis, and high technology will cooperate more closely in the future and contribute to the development of new methodologies for art authentication," concludes Cocciardi.

Leonardo da Vinci - Portrait attributed to Francesco Melzi

More About Leonardo da Vinci:

(via Wikipedia)

Leonardo di ser Piero da Vinci (14/15 April 1452 – 2 May 1519), known as Leonardo da Vinci, was an Italian polymath of the Renaissance whose areas of interest included invention, drawing, painting, sculpture, architecture, science, music, mathematics, engineering, literature, anatomy, geology, astronomy, botany, paleontology, and cartography. 

He has been variously called the father of palaeontology, ichnology, and architecture, and is widely considered one of the greatest painters of all time (despite perhaps only 15 of his paintings having survived).

Born out of wedlock to a notary, Piero da Vinci, and a peasant woman, Caterina, in Vinci, in the region of Florence, Italy, Leonardo was educated in the studio of the renowned Italian painter Andrea del Verrocchio. 

Much of his earlier working life was spent in the service of Ludovico il Moro in Milan, and he later worked in Rome, Bologna and Venice. He spent his last three years in France, where he died in 1519.

Leonardo is renowned primarily as a painter. The Mona Lisa is the most famous of his works and the most popular portrait ever made. The Last Supper is the most reproduced religious painting of all time and his Vitruvian Man drawing is regarded as a cultural icon as well. Salvator Mundi was sold for a world record $450.3 million at a Christie's auction in New York, 15 November 2017, the highest price ever paid for a work of art. 

Leonardo's paintings and preparatory drawings—together with his notebooks, which contain sketches, scientific diagrams, and his thoughts on the nature of painting—compose a contribution to later generations of artists rivalled only by that of his contemporary Michelangelo.

About Caroline Cocciardi:

Cocciardi book "Leonardo's Knots" was highlighted in "The Art Newspaper" stating "a new way of thinking is addressed by Caroline Cocciardi, who explores the many potential variants of knots drawn by Leonardo."

SOURCE: Caroline Cocciardi