Forger claims Da Vinci’s "La Bella Principessa" is supermarket shopgirlNovember 30, 2015 - 12:57 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - One of Britain's most notorious art forgers has claimed responsibility for what is believed to be a Leonardo Da Vinci masterpiece, saying it was inspired by a supermarket checkout girl, Art Daily reports citing the Sunday Times. Experts agree that Da Vinci created "La Bella Principessa" in the 15th century, but Shaun Greenhalgh, who has spent time in jail for art forgery, claims he made the chalk and ink drawing when he worked at a supermarket in Bolton, northern England. "I drew this picture in 1978 when I worked at the Co-op (supermarket)," wrote Greenhalgh in new book "A Forger's Tale," extracts of which appeared in the Sunday Times. "The 'sitter' was based on a girl called Sally who worked on the checkouts," he added. "Despite her humble position, she was a bossy little bugger and very self-important." Experts concluded in 2008 that the profile of a blonde-haired woman was a "remarkable drawing by Leonardo", and it has since been exhibited as a da Vinci in Italy and valued at £100 million ($150 million, 142 million euros). Greenhalgh, who was arrested in 2006 and jailed for four years and eight month, claims he used an 1587 council document for the canvas and schooldesk lid as the backing. While executing the artwork, he turned it 90 degrees clockwise to mimic da Vinci's left-handed style, he wrote. However, a laboratory recently released evidence suggesting the chalk pigment was at least 250 years old. Greenhalgh claimed he made his own pigments from organic materials of an appropriate age, digging up iron-rich clay. Top stories The creative crew of the Public TV had chosen 13-year-old Malena as a participant of this year's contest. She called on others to also suspend their accounts over the companies’ failure to tackle hate speech. Penderecki was known for his film scores, including for William Friedkin’s “The Exorcist”, Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining”. The festival made the news public on March 19, saying that “several options are considered in order to preserve its running” Partner news | European Parliament to discuss repression in Azerbaijan The European Parliament will discuss repression of civil society in Azerbaijan on April 24 PACE wants concessions from Azerbaijan to accept Baku back A PACE co-rapporteur said that Azerbaijani authorities must make certain concessions so that the country can return to PACE. Cyprus parliament honors Armenian genocide victims Acting House President Zacharias Koulias noted that April 24 marks the “black anniversary” of the Armenian genocide. Armenia PM, France envoy discuss regional matters Issues related to the consistent development of Armenia-France cooperation were discussed. |