Mystery of Where Mona Lisa was Painted Has Been Solved

The painting’s bridge, lake and rocks might have finally identified the landscape. Photograph: IanDagnall Computing/Alamy
The painting’s bridge, lake and rocks might have finally identified the landscape. Photograph: IanDagnall Computing/Alamy
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Mystery of Where Mona Lisa was Painted Has Been Solved

The painting’s bridge, lake and rocks might have finally identified the landscape. Photograph: IanDagnall Computing/Alamy
The painting’s bridge, lake and rocks might have finally identified the landscape. Photograph: IanDagnall Computing/Alamy

A geologist and Renaissance art historian is claiming to have solved the centuries-old debate on the location of the Italian landscape behind Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa.

Ann Pizzorusso, the author of the 2014 book “Tweeting Da Vinci,” is claiming she cracked the case, The Guardian reported.

In her expert opinion, Leonardo portrayed parts of the city of Lecco, on the shore of Lake Como in the Lombardy region of northern Italy, in his 16th-century masterpiece.

Pizzorusso claims she pinpointed the bridge, mountain range and lake featured in the painting’s background as Lecco’s Azzone Visconti bridge, built in the 14th century, the Alps which overlook the area and Lake Garlate, located south of the city.

Leonardo is known to have visited the area about 250 miles north of his home region of Florence about 500 years ago.

“I’m so excited about this. I really feel it’s a home run,” Pizzorusso told The Guardian.

She credited her knowledge of both geology and art for the findings, saying, “Geologists don’t look at paintings and art historians don’t look at geology.”

Using her knowledge of rocks, she also identified the greyish-white ones in the artwork, which was painted between 1503 and 1519 and now hangs in the Louvre Museum in Paris, as limestone, which is prevalent in Lecco.



Riyadh Metro Opens Its Doors to the Public Sunday

This comes following the inauguration by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud on November 27, 2024 - SPA
This comes following the inauguration by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud on November 27, 2024 - SPA
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Riyadh Metro Opens Its Doors to the Public Sunday

This comes following the inauguration by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud on November 27, 2024 - SPA
This comes following the inauguration by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud on November 27, 2024 - SPA

Riyadh Metro, operated by the Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC), opened its doors to passengers on Sunday.
The metro is now serving commuters on three of its six lines: the Blue Line (Al-Olaya-Al Batha), the Yellow Line (King Khalid International Airport Road), and the Purple Line (Abdulrahman bin Aauf Street–Sheikh Hassan bin Hussain bin Ali Road).
The remaining three lines will follow a sequential operation plan. The Red Line (King Abdullah Road) and the Green Line (King Abdulaziz Road) will start on December 15, 2024, while the Orange Line (Madinah Road) will start being operational on January 5, 2025.
According to SPA, stations on the Blue Line, Al-Olaya-Al Batha, will open to passengers before the end of 2024.

These stations include Ministry of Interior, Qasr Al-Hukm, Sulaiman Al Habib, Al Murooj, Murabba, Wurud 2, Bank Albilad, King Fahd District, King Fahd Library, National Museum, Al Batha, and Al-Aziziyah.
An Naseem Station on the Purple Line, along Abdulrahman bin Aauf Street–Sheikh Hassan bin Hussain bin Ali Road will open during the same timeframe.
Passengers can specify their destinations and buy tickets using the "darb" mobile app or directly from vending machines at the stations.