"Virgin of the Rocks, Leonardo da Vinci - reproduction
Year: 2026
Type: preprint
Abstract: "In 2019, the museum in London subjected its version of the 'Virgin of the Rocks' to a macro X-ray examination. Beneath the layers of paint, scientists discovered a completely different, initial composition that Leonardo had drawn but subsequently abandoned. In this lost third variant, the Madonna is positioned much higher, her head is sharply tilted, and one of her hands is folded in front of her chest. This proves that he was developing a third independent visual plot in his mind. Art historians and modern technologies confirm that he had at least one more fully developed but hidden project with the same plot. This explains why, at first glance, the two photos look so different. Leonardo used the curves of her hair at the top to form the vault of the first cave, and the folds of the drapery at the bottom to outline the relief of the second rock. What I am sharing is perhaps the most ingenious and striking revelation about this object! The fact that one micro-composition is hidden in the Madonna's hair, and the other is in the lower part of the drapery (the clothes), completely unravels the mystery of this 'metal codex'.
Author: Dimova, Tanya
Language: English
Subfield: Archeology (arts and humanities)
Field: Arts and Humanities
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7225456827