"Naked Mona Lisa" sparks controversy

Submitted by Milica on Sat, 2009-06-27 14:28
Long hidden behind a panel, a portrait of a semi-nude woman bears a striking resemblance to Leonard Da Vinci's famous Mona Lisa. The painting was once believed to have been done by the Da Vinci, but now experts feel that it may have been inspired by a lost masterpiece. (photo)

The woman in the portrait is depicted in a similar pose to Mona Lisa and has her same "enigmatic smile." It once belonged to Cardinal Joseph Fesch, Napoleon's ambassador to the Vatican.

The portrait will be on display until late September as part of an exhibit of over 5,000 pieces of art inspired by Da Vinci's original work at the Museo Ideale in the artist's hometown of Vinci, Italy.