Exciting news from Palazzo Vecchio on Mayor Renzi's blog - rough translation:
"The first results for the search of the Battle of Anghiari, Leonardo da Vinci's lost masterpiece, that are perhaps hidden behind a wall of the Salone dei Cinquecento in Palazzo Vecchio are in: endoscopic investigations began last night have found a gap of about two centimeters.
Hunting of the lost painting is being conducted by the National Geographic Society at the direction of engineer Maurizio Seracini, who has over 30 years experience dealing with the Battle. Tonight, the search began in earnest, with a probe that was inserted in a fresco by Giorgio Vasari, the 'Battle of Scannagallo', which the work of Leonardo may be hidden behind. In addition to the air gap found, further proof, according to the theories of Seracini, was Vasari himself wanted to save the Battle of Anghiari by constructing a new new wall, leaving a cavity. The investigations, in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and Precious stones, will continue until December 3.
"We are facing one of the greatest mysteries in art history", said mayor Matteo Renzi, who viewed the work in the exhibition with Terry Garcia, executive vice president of National Geographic, "and research that we must be proud (of). The first signs are positive, although it is still early to give the final response, but what is certain is that after 500 years, this mystery will be solved."
Too cool! I am going to try to go by tomorrow and check this out -