The Search for Leonardo da Vinci's Lost Fresco Continues for Decades

florence, italy - The fate of Leonardo da Vinci's mural, Battle of Anghiari, remains a mystery, sparking discussions among art historians for years.

The Lost Masterpiece

Art historians have been intrigued by the disappearance of Leonardo da Vinci's mural, Battle of Anghiari, for decades. The monumental fresco was supposed to adorn the Salone dei Cinquecento in the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence, depicting a military victory of the Republic of Florence. However, neither da Vinci's nor Michelangelo's works were completed as planned. While Michelangelo's piece remains unfinished, the whereabouts of da Vinci's masterpiece remain a mystery.

According to Leonardo expert Michael Kwakkelstein, a storm interrupted da Vinci's work on the fresco, leading to its failure. Subsequently, Leonardo left Florence for Milan, where he continued his artistic endeavors. Despite speculations, no concrete evidence of the mural's existence has surfaced over the years.

Various attempts have been made to locate da Vinci's fresco, with engineer Maurizio Seracini proposing that it lies behind a fresco by Giorgio Vasari, who later painted new frescoes in the hall. However, resistance from Florentine conservators and art historians halted Seracini's invasive investigations. The debate continues as to whether the mystery will ever be solved.

While some historians believe da Vinci never started the Battle of Anghiari, others like author Stefano Corazzini argue against such claims, emphasizing the potential value of even a small remnant of the lost masterpiece in today's advanced technological age.