As the latest clue in the hunt for Da Vinci’s lost mural is announced, the quest is starting to resemble something from a Dan Brown novel.
In one of Florence’s most famous buildings, the Palazza Vecchio, a team of experts led by Prof Seracini are working hard to solve the mystery that has puzzled the art world for centuries.
The revelation comes after an endoscopic probe uncovered the red, black and beige paint consistent with that used in Da Vinci’s frescos.
The hunt led experts to Giorgio Vasari’s The Battle of Marciano after sources revealed the lost mural to be hidden somewhere in the palace.
It is believed that Da Vinci’s The Battle of Anghiari, which he stopped painting in 1504, was concealed behind Vasari’s mural after the room was renovated. Other clues include the words 'Cerca Trova' (seek and you shall find), which are found in Vasari’s mural.
In light of these clues, Seracini and his team were permitted to investigate further. The project is conducted by the University of California, the city of Florence and the National Geographic Society.