The Domitian – Presenting the Domitian, a newly discovered work of art signed L da Vinci. Researching a possible connection between the painting, depicting the Roman emperor Domitian, and Leonardo da Vinci.

The latest: A very exciting news! According to an art expert the painting is very likely the original Domitian and not a copy.

Oil on canvas, lined, 133 x 102.5 cm, depicting the Roman emperor Domitian. Signed ”L da Vinci” with the underlined letters ”Pinxt” directly below. ”DOMITIANO.IM.XII” is inscribed in the top-right corner and a partial inscription/mark is located in the lower-left corner.

Please note that the images on this website are compressed, to view them uncompressed in high resolution please contact us.

After surface restoration (preliminary non-professional photo). In reality, the painting looks three-dimensional and the colors are stronger.

Before surface restoration. Photo: Helena Christerdotter.

Technical research

Historical research

Signature

Carbon-14 dating

X-ray

Pigment analysis

Layer structure

UV and IR

Painting support

Paint media

Pentimento

Surface restoration

Before surface restoration

Original

Provenance

Titian’s original series

Sadeler’s engraving

Versions of Domitian

Comparisons

Findings and conclusions

Presenting the Domitian, a newly discovered work of art signed ”L da Vinci”. Investigating a possible connection between the painting and Leonardo da Vinci.