19 March 2013

'Da Vinci's Last Commission' - Saturday Evening Lecture on 23rd March

The plot behind one of the most astonishing detective stories in the history of art will be revealed at the next instalment of the University of Dundee's Saturday Evening Lecture Series.

An old painting, a Madonna and Child, hung on the wall of Fiona McLaren's home for years. While she thought it beautiful, serene and spellbinding, she didn't think it had any significant monetary value. Until she eventually got round to having it valued, out of curiosity that is...

The experts called in to cast their eye over the 78cm x 56cm work instantly became very excited and, in an astonishing twist, it emerged that the picture could have been the work of master artist Leonardo da Vinci and worth over £100million.

What's more, in the course of Fiona's research, she came to believe that the painting pointed to one of the greatest heresies of our time, an incredible story that the Roman Catholic Church has been trying to keep secret for centuries.

"I showed it to the expert and he was staggered, speechless save for a sigh of exclamation," said Ms McLaren.

"My father, who was given the painting as a gift, called the painting 'Madonna and Child with John the Baptist', but having spent a decade researching the history of the work, I think the painting actually shows Mary Magdalene and her son. I think the true meaning of the work may have been disguised for centuries because such a work would have been considered heretic by the Church."

The Pope decreed the Virgin Mary must be illustrated in blue whereas Mary Magdalene had to be shown in red attire, as depicted in this painting. Leonardo, who excelled at not only painting, but also mathematics, engineering, architecture, sculpture, music and science, was known to hide meanings in his works and the fact the woman in the picture is holding a carnation could be a symbol for marriage.

Further testing by specialists on old masters has taken place and the painting should be dated conclusively this year. Experts have expressed their opinion that even if the painting was not the work of Leonardo, it was likely to have emanated from the Da Vinci School and the master may have had a hand in its creation.

Fiona, who says she hopes the painting will end up in a museum to be enjoyed by future generations, has written a book, 'Da Vinci's Last Commission' on her experiences and theory.

She will deliver a talk of the same name at the University's Dalhousie Building from 6pm on Saturday, 23rd March. Free tickets for this event are available by emailing events@dundee.ac.uk, visiting www.dundee.ac.uk/tickets or Tower Building Reception or calling 01382 385564/385108.

A drinks reception and book signing will follow this event. Please note that overflow theatres may be in operation.

For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk
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