Mona Lisa Was Painted in Rome

Aug. 26, 2011 - PRLog -- "There is an incredible secret hidden in plain sight on the Mona Lisa that shows Leonardo da Vinci had more imagination than any Hollywood script writer," says Scott Lund, a Los Angeles author who has unraveled an elaborate code crafted into the iconic Renaissance painting.

“Leonardo started painting the Mona Lisa in Rome before the date of 1503 accepted by historians, and I know where he painted it,” says Lund, who is presenting his findings on September 10, at 3 p.m. in the public square near the Colosseum in the heart of Rome.

Leonardo left Milan in 1499 after an invasion by the King of France sent its ruling Sforza family fleeing the city. Rather than settling in Florence as is generally believed, Lund says Leonardo then sought safety and new patrons in Rome, which was preparing for its grand Jubilee of 1500.

"There is a rich matrix of symbolic meaning that Leonardo created in the Mona Lisa that I have already exposed, but there is also one unique and startling element in the painting that I have saved for my dramatic presentation on 9/10/11. The "Mona Lisa Code" will essentially change everything that has been erroneously assumed for nearly five centuries," says Lund, who considers his discovery a gift that the citizens of Rome can share with the rest of the world.

Lund intends to show a large group of people the actual site where Leonardo painted his masterpiece. The historic event will be covered by international news media and filmed for the benefit of posterity.