It has been revealed that the ‘Mona Lisa’ that hangs in Madrid’s Prado Museum was in fact perhaps painted by Leonardo Da Vinci’s assistant, pupil and possible lover, Salaì.
Salaì, whose real name is Gian Giacomo Caprotti, began assisting Da Vinci when he arrived at the artist’s studio in 1490, aged 10. The nickname ‘Salaì’ meaning ‘little Satan’ originated from Caprotti’s misdemeanours: Da Vinci actually described his pupil as “a liar, a thief.” It is generally believed that Da Vinci and his pupil had been lovers although there is no evidence to consolidate this. Salaì was to worked with Da Vinci until the famous painter’s death.
