Lisa Gherardini, the wife of a wealthy Florentine businessman, Francesco del Giocondo, has long been regarded as the most likely model for the painting of the 16th century. However, art historians have often wondered whether the smiling woman may actually da Vinci's lover, his mother or the artist itself.

Now the experts at the Heidelberg University library said based on notes written in a book on the owner in October 1503 acquired certainty for all that Lisa del Giocondo was indeed the model in the painting, which is one of the world-famous portrait paintings. "All doubts about the identity of the Mona Lisa have been dashed following the discovery by Dr. Armin Schlechter, "an expert on ancient manuscripts, the library said in a statement.

Until now, only be obtained "is less convincing evidence" from 16th century documents."This creates room for different interpretations and there are many different identities put forward," said library. The notes were made by Agostino Vespucci, a Florentine official and friend of da Vinci, in the collection of letters written Roman orator, Cicero.Posts in the notes to compare Leonardo to the ancient Greek artist Apelles and stated he was working on three paintings, one of which is a portrait of Lisa del Giocondo.

The art expert, who has been linked in the manufacture of the painting in the medieval era, states that the Heidelberg discovery is a breakthrough and the previous mention of linking the merchant's wife by painting the portrait. "There is no reason to continue to doubt that this portrait is the other woman," Leipzig University art historian said, Frank Zoelner, told German radio.