The earliest work of Leonardo da Vinci

A small painted tile caused quite a stir among the scientists of the art world. This is because some scholars believe that the recently discovered work is Leonardo da Vinci's earliest known work: a self-portrait in which the artist portrays himself as the Archangel Gabriel. The work was dated 1471, when the legendary master was only 18 years old.

Professor Ernesto Solari, who wrote a lot about Leonardo, made a bold statement at a press conference in Rome, presenting his findings to handwriting specialist Ivana Bonfantin. According to Frieze, Solari and Bonfantin came to this conclusion through a combination of technical analysis and research.

Scientists used thermoluminescence to confirm the date the tiles were fired. They claim that in infrared analysis of a portrait, coded inscriptions were found pointing to Leonardo's hand: a sequence of numbers and the artist's signature in mirror image along the subject's chin. Scientists believe that they were visible before firing the tiles, but became illegible in the furnace.

Date 1471 is shown on the tiles with numbers 52 and 72. Solarium, 52 is indicated 1452 is Leonardo’s second birth, and 72 are written in alphabetical letters - G and B. So, for the sake of words, the master is tight, on the creation of images Archangel Gavriil.