May 23, 2024

New Leonardos at the Hermitage?


New Leonardos at the Hermitage?
An alternate version of Leonardo's "Virgin of the Rocks," which is currently on display at the Louvre. Evgenii Zolotarev / BBC

An exhibit at the Hermitage claims to be displaying paintings determined to have been created by Leonardo da Vinci. But international experts agreed: these paintings were not touched by the Renaissance master. 

The exhibit, entitled "New Mysteries of the Paintings of Leonardo da Vinci," was partly financed and organized by Konstantin Goloshchapov, an influential St. Petersburg businessman and apparent close friend of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Goloshchapov collects religious art and provided several of the paintings displayed in the Hermitage exhibit. The Hermitage website describes the exhibit as being created "in collaboration" with the scholars Carlo Pedretti and Luca Tomio. One minor issue: Pedretti has been dead since 2018, and Tomio has no academic or institutional affiliations backing up his research. 

The paintings newly attributed to Leonardo, "The Battle of Anghiari" and "The Virgin of the Rocks" are a variation and version, respectively, of works located at the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence and the Louvre in Paris. While it is not unheard of for works of art to be reattributed after extensive research and study by experts, or for variations of famous paintings to be discovered, these paintings are near universally considered to not be by Leonardo. 

“Not a single serious researcher, that is, a qualified expert on Leonardo’s work, will support such an attribution," Frank Zöllner, a professor at Leipzig University, told BBC Russia. 

You Might Also Like

Hermitage Cats
  • March 09, 2006

Hermitage Cats

A look at the cats that guard one of the world's great museums.
Worthy of Aivazovsky's Brush
  • September 19, 2021

Worthy of Aivazovsky's Brush

If you love the sea, Ivan Aivazovsky is your man. Everyone should know about this Armenian-Russian painter.
Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals

Some of our Books

Fish
February 01, 2010

Fish

This mesmerizing novel from one of Russia’s most important modern authors traces the life journey of a selfless Russian everywoman. In the wake of the Soviet breakup, inexorable forces drag Vera across the breadth of the Russian empire. Facing a relentless onslaught of human and social trials, she swims against the current of life, countering adversity and pain with compassion and hope, in many ways personifying Mother Russia’s torment and resilience amid the Soviet disintegration.

Driving Down Russia's Spine
June 01, 2016

Driving Down Russia's Spine

The story of the epic Spine of Russia trip, intertwining fascinating subject profiles with digressions into historical and cultural themes relevant to understanding modern Russia. 

Fearful Majesty
July 01, 2014

Fearful Majesty

This acclaimed biography of one of Russia’s most important and tyrannical rulers is not only a rich, readable biography, it is also surprisingly timely, revealing how many of the issues Russia faces today have their roots in Ivan’s reign.

The Moscow Eccentric
December 01, 2016

The Moscow Eccentric

Advance reviewers are calling this new translation "a coup" and "a remarkable achievement." This rediscovered gem of a novel by one of Russia's finest writers explores some of the thorniest issues of the early twentieth century.

93 Untranslatable Russian Words
December 01, 2008

93 Untranslatable Russian Words

Every language has concepts, ideas, words and idioms that are nearly impossible to translate into another language. This book looks at nearly 100 such Russian words and offers paths to their understanding and translation by way of examples from literature and everyday life. Difficult to translate words and concepts are introduced with dictionary definitions, then elucidated with citations from literature, speech and prose, helping the student of Russian comprehend the word/concept in context.

The Samovar Murders
November 01, 2019

The Samovar Murders

The murder of a poet is always more than a murder. When a famous writer is brutally stabbed on the campus of Moscow’s Lumumba University, the son of a recently deposed African president confesses, and the case assumes political implications that no one wants any part of.

The Little Humpbacked Horse
November 03, 2014

The Little Humpbacked Horse

A beloved Russian classic about a resourceful Russian peasant, Vanya, and his miracle-working horse, who together undergo various trials, exploits and adventures at the whim of a laughable tsar, told in rich, narrative poetry.

Steppe
July 15, 2022

Steppe

This is the work that made Chekhov, launching his career as a writer and playwright of national and international renown. Retranslated and updated, this new bilingual edition is a super way to improve your Russian.

About Us

Russian Life is the 31-year-old publication of an award-winning publishing house that also creates books, and other products for Russophiles the world over.

Latest Posts

Our Contacts

Russian Life
73 Main Street, Suite 402
Montpelier VT 05602

802-223-4955