Unknown Italian Artist - La Gioconda or The Mona Lisa [1503-16]

Unknown Italian Artist - La Gioconda or The Mona Lisa [1503-16], a photo by Gandalf's Gallery on Flickr.

Until recently, this painting was considered one of the many existing versions of the famous painting by Leonardo da Vinci preserved in the Louvre. Technical examination and restoration carried out between 2011 and 2012 have shown that this is the earliest copy of the Mona Lisa - evidence of the activities of Leonardo’s workshop. The dimensions of both figures are identical and were perhaps traced from the same cartoon.

[Museo Nacional del Prado, Madrid - Oil on walnut, 76.3 x 57 cm]

Unknown Italian Artist - A Female Figure resting on a Sword [probably 18th century]

Unknown Italian Artist - A Female Figure resting on a Sword [probably 18th century], a photo by Gandalf's Gallery on Flickr.

The figure rests on a sword and may represent Saint Catherine of Alexandria who was tortured on a wheel and then beheaded with a sword.This work has in the past been attributed to Solimena, but it may be Roman rather than Neapolitan.

[Oil on wood, 53.3 x 45.7 cm]