Initially the bust, found in the Palazzo Chigi Saracini in Siena was thought to be by Andrea del Verrocchio (1435-1488), who worked at the court of Lorenzo de’ Medici in nearby Florence. The nose of the bust as well as the forehead and ears have been damaged but Perugia University art historian Giancarlo Gentilini said there was a ’strong possibility’ it was by Da Vinci. Professor Gentilini added that another clue was the fact that Da Vinci had worked in Verrocchio’s studio between 1469 and 1476, until he was 24 years old and then moved to Milan. Formerly thought to depict Galileo, it was brought to light by medieval historian Nicola Barbatelli, who recognised a Latin inscription on the back known to have been used by Leonardo. The bust is expected to go on show in the town of Impruneta as part of an exhibition entitled The Terracotta of Impruneta. I have compared this to a picture in a Leonardo da Vinci book that I have and they both look very alike.

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