Most people know the existence of the Mona Lisa, a masterpiece of Leonardo da Vinci. However, very few know about the Isleworth Mona Lisa that is supposed to be the second Mona Lisa.
Does Isleworth Mona Lisa exist before or after Leonardo’s? Is the artist of this painting also Leonardo da Vinci? These questions will be answered in today’s article. So let’s find out together!
What is Isleworth Mona Lisa?
The Isleworth Mona Lisa is an oil painting that appeared at the beginning of the 16th century and was drawn on the canvas.
Like the Mona Lisa of Leonardo da Vinci, the subject of Isleworth Mona Lisa is an Italian noblewoman named Lisa Gherardini, a member of the Gherardini family of Florence and Tuscany. The difference is the Isleworth Mona Lisa is the young version of Mona Lisa.
What is the mystery of the Isleworth Mona Lisa?
Why is it dub Isleworth Mona Lisa?
In 1913, with a strong belief that the ‘age-old Mona Lisa’ is the original work of Leonardo da Vinci, an English collector and patron, Huge Bleker bought it from a manor in Somerset.
Blake brought the painting to his home in London’s Isleworth district, then the name Isleworth Mona Lisa was coined. Blaker believed that he had grasped the bargain but couldn’t sell it to anyone.
After Blaker’s death, there are many debates regarding the painting’s ownership; Isleworth Mona Lisa was bought by Henry F.Pulitzer, who first introduced the painting to the public in his book published in 1966. After then, the painting was also sent to the Mona Lisa Foundation, where it was looked into for authenticity.
From 2019 to date, the Isleworth Mona Lisa has been exhibited at the Palazzo Bastogi in Florence, where millions of people have visited it each year.
Is Leonardo da Vinci the artist of Isleworth Mona Lisa?
Although there are plenty of controversies regarding its authenticity, until now, the artist of the Isleworth Mona Lisa is still a mystery (because both have many similar things – style, color, and painting way). However, these do not mean that Leonardo da Vinci is not likely to be the artist.
Both the Isleworth Mona Lisa (left), the Mona Lisa of Leonardo da Vinci (right)
Who is the owner of the Isleworth Mona Lisa?
After Blaker, Pulitzer with 25% share, and Elizabeth Meyer with 75% shares, Isleworth Mona Lisa is brought to the Mona Lisa Foundation. However, the Pulitzer did not still give up, even sue to claim the ownership of the painting.
In 2016, the mystery of the ownerships was shed light on when the Panama Paper leaked to the public. It is believed that they held the painting through offshore accounts.
In a nutshell
Up to now, Isleworth Mona Lisa’s history is still a vague mystery with surrounding controversies. It stimulates the curiosity of many people. Therefore, Palazzo Bastogi, Florence, reaped a great profit from millions of visitors every year.
In other ways, you can relieve your curiosity by just sitting at home and reading this article.
