Geologist and Renaissance art historian Ann Pizzorusso claims to have solved the mystery behind the Italian landscape depicted in Leonardo da Vinci’s iconic painting, the Mona Lisa. Pizzorusso believes that the background of the painting features the city of Lecco, located on the shore of Lake Como in northern Italy.
In her expert opinion, Pizzorusso identified the Azzone Visconti bridge, the Alps, and Lake Garlate in the painting as landmarks in Lecco. She credits her knowledge of both geology and art for making this groundbreaking discovery.
Pizzorusso’s theory challenges previous beliefs that the small bridge in the painting was located in other cities in Italy. By focusing on the geology of the region, she was able to pinpoint the exact location that Leonardo da Vinci may have depicted in his masterpiece.
To support her findings, Pizzorusso visited Lecco and retraced the paths once explored by Leonardo himself. She identified the greyish-white rocks in the painting as limestone, a common geological feature in the Lecco region.
This revelation sheds new light on the historical context of the Mona Lisa and provides a deeper understanding of Leonardo da Vinci’s artistic process. Pizzorusso’s interdisciplinary approach to solving this centuries-old mystery demonstrates the importance of combining different fields of study to unlock hidden secrets in art history.