Mona Lisa copy may have been painted by Leonardo da Vinci's lover, art historians suggest

Last month, a copy of Leonardo's most famous painting rocked the art world with revelations about its provenance. Two weeks after it went on show to the public at the Prado, the museum's conservation team believe they are closing in on a conclusion about the painting's authorship.

The most likely candidate is Gian Giacomo Caprotti, the apprentice known as "Salaì" - which translates as "Little Devil" - who went to work in Leonardo's workshop when he was ten years old.
Many historians believe, though it is not proven, that Salaì was Leonardo's lover. He is presumed to be the youthful model for Leonardo's paintings 'St. John the Baptist' and 'Bacchus', as well as numerous drawings.

The Renaissance art historian Giorgio Vasari describes Salaì in his 'Lives of the Artists' as "a graceful and beautiful youth with curly hair, in which Leonardo greatly delighted"

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