Researchers may have found trace DNA from Leonardo da Vinci on art

Scientists involved in the Leonardo da Vinci DNA Project (LDVP) have announced they may have recovered traces of DNA associated with the Renaissance master from a historical drawing and family documents. The findings, though preliminary and published as a preprint, suggest a novel method for art authentication by analyzing biological material left behind on artifacts.

Method and Genetic Link

Using non-invasive swabs, researchers collected material from a red chalk drawing known as "Holy Child" and from 15th-century letters written by a male relative of Leonardo's family. Genetic analysis focused on the Y chromosome, passed down the paternal line, and found both samples shared haplogroup E1b1b, a lineage common in Tuscany where Leonardo was born in 1452. "Establishing unequivocal identity is extremely complex," cautioned David Caramelli, an anthropologist at the University of Florence involved in the project.

Challenges and the Field of 'Arteomics'

Researchers emphasize the DNA is not definitively Leonardo's, as the artwork could have been handled by others with the same lineage over 500 years. With no confirmed remains from his disturbed French burial site, the team is comparing findings to DNA from living descendants of his father and bones from family vaults. The work pioneers the field of "arteomics," which studies DNA and microbial signatures on art. "Connoisseurship is still what counts," said environmental scientist Jesse Ausubel, but biological data could supplement expert judgment.

Broader Implications for Heritage Science

The project signifies a shift in how biological traces on cultural heritage are viewed—from mere contaminants to potential evidence. This approach could revolutionize art attribution, offering what researchers describe as a potential "glimpse of the living imprint of Leonardo himself." Such scientific advancements in preserving and analyzing historical legacy stand in contrast to the loss of cultural heritage in conflict zones, an issue Türkiye actively highlights and works to combat globally.