I am very skeptical about this because in those days there were many poor artists who could not afford to buy equipment and had to reuse their canvases. Leonardo da Vinci was not one of these. Most of his paintings were commissioned by many of the wealthy and also the Church. I don't see why he would paint over a canvas.

Besides I had the wonderful opportunity many many years ago to see the Mona Lisa and I would hate to find my illusions about it shattered. Even if it were true it would not diminish my respect  for  it. 

I have had the opportunity to view the Mona Lisa and suddy it in Paris, and compare to the 6 official copies that are in the collection.

Further it is common for artists to build up a surface, under many are continuous layers.

Prefer to go with the final image Leonardo wanted us to see. Not the underpainting!

For sure, Leonardo knew his study as a young person and then an older person....why worry who said or did what. It is really not important and definitely does not change her smile or alter our illusions in any way.  It's truly mesmerising, let it be.

it does not alter the beauty of the painting,    but i find it interesting that they did this,     was a bit on THE ANTIQUES ROADSHOW awhile back,   about a painting that had been taken in,    and this one was found to have been painted over,      have read several theories as to what she was smiling about,     dome say it is becauce she was a sedret misstress,  others that she was pregnant,  and it was an expectant mothers smile,     one well never know, 

I remember reading somewhere that Leonardo worked on the Mona Lisa for years, constantly working and reworking it and carrying it with him everywhere he went. I recall that it was somewhat of an obsession for him. It's no wonder then that there are layers beneath the final image.

I also recall that the Mona Lisa had something to do with him trying to remember how his mother looked? I may be confused on that one. Does anybody know the story behind the Mona Lisa?

For sure, Leonardo knew his study as a young person and then an older person....why worry who said or did what. It is really not important and definitely does not change her smile or alter our illusions in any way.  It's truly mesmerising, let it be.

You are spot on doclisa

 "the final image Leonardo wanted us to see. Not the underpainting!"

Just look at another famous artist Claude Monet who after his cataract operation purchased his paintings back so he could repaint them to what he then saw as the right colour.

Having dabbled in paints myself, I can see how one would keep painting until it met their personnal satisfaction. You have to be kissed by a Muse to understand.

Being a bit of an artist myself (more into sketches though) I can understand that it must have taken a long time to produce such a magnificant painting.

This one is my latest and I am still working on it and will continue to do so until I consider it perfect. One has to have patience to produce true works of art.

Thought it was a tracing of your foot Gerry then realised it had 6 toes, you don't have that many or do you?  Think you have improved a lot since your early ones.

I am very proud and fortunate to be have been able to show you my artistic side and so it is rewarding to get such positive feedback, especially to be on the same page as Moaning Lisa.

in a few years GERRY,   everybody will want one of your paintings,    and we here at Y.L.C,   will be able to say we knew you when ,   as a budding artist , you began to flourish,    could you do a small one for each of your friends on here,  prehaps,?     something to remember you by,    and make us rich in our old age,   as im sure they will sell for a fortune,