Early copy of Mona Lisa found in pristine condition

1:00 PM, Feb 2, 2012   |    comments
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MADRID, Spain (CBS) -- The earliest copy of Leonardo da Vinci's masterpiece, Mona Lisa, has been found in the vaults of a Spanish museum, looking younger and more ravishing than the original.

Art historians have hailed the discovery, made during conservation work at the Prado Museum, as one of the most remarkable in recent times.

Museum officials said it was almost certainly painted by one of Leonardo da Vinci's apprentices alongside the master himself as he did the original.