Verdon calls asking to stop the ongoing surveys to search for the hidden masterpiece of Leonardo Da Vinci, The Battle of Anghiari. “It may well be – explained to Vatican Radio – that beneath the layer of the work of Vasari there is some remnant of a ‘Leonardo’s work, but what you might find today is certainly not the concept of Leonardo in its original form. Indeed, we can assume that the effects of degradation that occurred immediately after the execution, have worsened with the passage of time. it is otherwise remove a magnificent fresco by Vasari, but this is part of a great decorative program? I have doubts that it can be worth it. “
Florence authorities gave the green light to the drillers, who punched a hole in the Vasari. Seracini has been yearning to get close to the rumoured Anghiari fresco for the last 36 years and has written several books on it.
“We’re poised to put an end to a great search, we’re hoping the Battle of Anghiari is there,” said Florence Mayor Matteo Renzi. “I’m sure we’ll get the definitive word on the greatest mystery in the history of art,” he said.
The project went ahead after a scale model of the two walls was built at San Diego University, a major funder of the one-million-euro project along with three private foundations. Bits of the original fresco were recreated on the inner wall of the model, so that experts could simulate going in without damaging the real thing.