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For centuries, she's been smiling at us. Maybe thinking, 'you have no idea who I am'?
Mona Lisa. Well, researchers trying to identify the woman who modeled for Leonardo da Vinci's
famous painting may have come across a critical clue.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mona_Lisa,_by_Leonardo_da_Vinci,_from_C2RMF_retouched.jpg
Fox News reports researchers have started DNA tests on a skeleton found in a church
in Florence, Italy.
What they're trying to do is link the skeleton to other recently discovered bones — bones
believed to be belong to the model's descendants.
This is all based on the theory that the model for Mona Lisa was Lisa Gherardini, a noblewoman
who lived near da Vinci.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5O2NlsLxNes
And as The Wall Street Journal reports, if the DNA tests are positive, if this skeleton
is Gherardini, the researchers plan to make a computer-generated reconstruction of her
face.
http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2014/02/17/art-sleuth-starts-dna-tests-on-possible-skeleton-of-the-real-mona-lisa/
And that could solve an age-old mystery. Who is the woman behind the smile? The DNA results
are expected by May or June.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mona_Lisa.jpg
Still, some speculate da Vinci could have used several models over a period of years
for the painting. In which case — might need to get Indiana Jones on the phone or
something.