Isleworth Mona Lisa - Authenticity

Authenticity

The authenticity of the Isleworth Mona Lisa is widely disputed in the art community. Some argue that as Henry F. Pulitzer himself owned the painting in question, a conflict of interest is present. His Where is the Mona Lisa was published by the Pulitzer Press, a publisher he owned. Pulitzer notes in the introduction to his book that he made a number of sacrifices in order to acquire the painting, including the selling of "a house with all its contents".

Pulitzer argues in his book that Da Vinci's contemporary Raphael made a sketch of this painting, probably from memory, after seeing it in Leonardo's studio in 1504 (the sketch is reproduced in Pulitzer's book; the book says that this sketch is at the Louvre). The Raphael sketch includes the two Greek columns that are found not in the Louvre's Mona Lisa, but are found in the painting bought by Blaker. Pulitzer presents a few pages of art expert testimonials in his book; some of these experts seemed to believe that Leonardo was the painter, others felt the artist was somebody who worked in Leonardo's studio, and still others suggested that other artists may have done it. Supporters of the authenticity of the Isleworth Mona Lisa include art collector John Eyre, who argued that the bust, face, and hands are autographed. (Monograph of Leonardo da Vinci's "Mona Lisa" (London: Grevel, 1915).

Pulitzer also presents laboratory evidence (light to dark ratios across the canvas, X-rays, etc.) that his painting is a Leonardo. However, specific detail on the manner in which these studies were carried out, and by whom, is not provided. He writes: "I have no intention of cluttering up this book with too many technicalities and wish to make this chapter brief". No independent reports on the painting are cited in his text; he uses the pronoun "we" to describe the research conducted (along the lines of "we X-rayed the painting and found that..."). As his own Pulitzer Press then published these results, there is a lack of outside corroboration for his claims.

Hidden in a Swiss bank vault for 40 years, this version of the Mona Lisa was unveiled to the public on 27 September 2012; a version some experts say they can prove is Leonardo's work.