Smithsonian Channel

Maurizio Seracini examines a fresco thought be be hiding clues to a missing Da Vinci mural.

Our recent show, The Da Vinci Detective documented the efforts of Maurizio Seracini, a controversial scientist on the trail of a fascinating unsolved mystery. For 30 years he has searched for a lost Leonardo Da Vinci mural unseen since the 1540s.  In just a few weeks, he could be one step closer to an amazing discovery.

The missing Da Vinci mural, “The Battle of Anghiari,” is quite large and said to be three times the width of “The Last Supper.”  How can a mural that large be hidden?  Seracini believes the mural is hidden underneath a more recent fresco, behind a wall in the Hall of the 500, the Palazzo Vecchio’s grand ceremonial chamber in Florence, Italy.

With dogged determination Seracini has employed various scientific techniques to analyze the structure of the Hall of the 500. He is encouraged by the message “cerca trova” (seek and you shall find), written on the current fresco in the Palazzo Vecchio. Seracini is anxiously awaiting the opportunity to analyze a second wall he has discovered, hidden in the Hall of the 500.

Once he navigates his way through a few more political and bureaucratic obstacles he will finally be able to test his theory. Florence’s new mayor, Matteo Renzi says they’re just a few weeks away from approving the process.  We’re on the edge of our seats waiting for the next update.

Watch the clip below to see how the two little words “cerca trova” encouraged Seracini to keep looking for the missing mural despite challenges and setbacks.

Check out The Da Vinci Detective for more clips and information about Seracini.