US EditionScientists say traces of Leonardo da Vinci DNA may be found on artwork
Researchers identified male Y-chromosome sequences in Renaissance artifacts linked to a Tuscan lineage, suggesting possible Leonardo da Vinci DNA, according to the Leonardo da Vinci DNA Project.
- The Leonardo da Vinci DNA Project researchers posted to the bioRxiv preprint database Tuesday , recovering Y‑chromosome sequences from the 'Holy Child' drawing and a 1400s letter linked to Leonardo's family.
- Because da Vinci left no direct descendants and his tomb was disturbed during the French Revolution, the Leonardo da Vinci DNA Project aims to reconstruct his DNA to authenticate artworks and study his traits.
- Using gentle swabs, the researchers extracted Y‑chromosome haplogroup E1b1b markers after comparing with around 90,000 markers and found non‑human DNA findings including citrus and plasmodium.
- The research team is now seeking permissions from museum and archive custodians to permit further swabbing of notebooks and drawings, while officials controlling tomb access allow skeleton sampling only if a reliable comparison sample is found elsewhere.
- Scientists note genetics could help explain aspects of da Vinci's abilities, but LDVP authors and independent experts caution results are preliminary and identity confirmation is extremely complex for art provenance and authentication specialists and potential facial reconstruction efforts.
40 Articles
40 Articles
Leonardo da Vinci DNA May Be Preserved on 15th-Century Drawing
Portrait of Leonardo da Vinci. Credit: Wellcome Collection / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 4.0 Researchers say traces of Leonardo da Vinci’s DNA may still be detectable on a Renaissance-era drawing linked to the famed artist, offering a rare biological glimpse into one of history’s most studied figures. The findings come from a new study led by Harinder Singh that tested whether fragile cultural artifacts can preserve biological material after centu…
A team of researchers discovered DNA traces of a man on a drawing attributed to the artist Leonardo da Vinci. Scientists now hope to show that the genetic sequence of da Vinci is itself.
Researchers found human genetic material on a picture. Among other things, the reference is problematic: Da Vinci's grave rest was disturbed several times in the 19th century and he had no children.
In a drawing attributed to the artist, scientists have discovered human genetic material. Is this actually from Leonardo da Vinci? Questionable. In their approach, the researchers nevertheless see potential.
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