The copy of the famous Mona Lisa was found in the Prado Museum

During the restoration of the painting in the Prado Museum in Madrid, which was considered to be just one of many copies, probably, the most famous painting of Leonardo Da Vinci - "Mona Lisa", showed that the picture is much more than an imitation of the genius piece of art.

According to experts from the Spanish Prado Museum in Madrid, found picture is a twin of the Leonardo da Vinci's masterpiece "Mona Lisa" created in the same period (16th century) and, most likely, in the same studio as the famous original. According to the preliminary estimates, restored picture was painted by one of his disciples, who took part in creating of the original painting, which is currently stored in the Louvre museum in Paris.

The found piece of art for a long time was kept in the Prado Museum in Madrid as one of many copies of the famous masterpiece. The copy of "Mona Lisa" had no landscape background. The true value of the work was found out only during the restoration, when under the layer of black paint and lacquer was found a picturesque background repeating the painting of Leonardo Da Vinci.

According to the experts, found picture is not simply a copy of "Mona Lisa" dated back to the 16-17 centuries, but the twin of the world famous work of Leonardo Da Vinci, created by the most famous disciples of the brilliant master of the High Renaissance era - Andrea Salai or Francesco Melzi.

Found twin of "Mona Lisa" is in much better condition than the famous original and will be thoroughly studied to solve the secret of the mysterious Mona Lisa smile.

The work of art found in the Madrid Prado Museum, will be presented on February 21, 2012. In the future the picture will travel to France, where it will be exhibited in the Louvre from May 29 to June 25 side by side with the original "Mona Lisa" by Leonardo Da Vinci.