Was Mona Lisa Pregnant?

Mona Lisa, the woman depicted in Leonardo da Vinci's 16th century art masterpiece, was either pregnant or had recently given birth when she sat for the painting, a French art expert said yesterday. Thanks to laser scanning, they were able to uncover the very fine gauze veil Mona Lisa was wearing on her dress. This was something typical for either soon-to-be or new mothers at the time . A number of art historians have suggested that she was pregnant or had just given birth. Researchers have established that the picture was of Lisa Gherardini, wife of obscure Florentine merchant and that Da Vinci started painting it in 1503. The French art expert said all the secrets behind the enigmatic painting have yet to be revealed. "Our laboratory is trying to uncover Da Vinci's techniques. We particularly want to understand how he painted his shadows, the famous "fumato" effect, the director said. The artist brought the painting to France in 1517. It has been in the Louvre Museum since 1804. For the full story - click the title Irish Art