of Leonardo – The Universal Genius at Work, exhibition catalogue edited by P. Gauluzzi, Giunti Florence, 2006, pp. 94–101. In the Smithsonian Channel TV program, Da Vinci Detective, Seracini conjectures that, upon seeing the preliminary drawings for the altarpiece they had commissioned, the monks of San Donato rejected it due to the sensational scenario presented to them. Fully expecting a traditional interpretation including the three wise men, they were instead confronted with a maelstrom of unrelated, half-emaciated figures surrounding the Christ Child, as well as a full-blown battle scene in the rear of the picture. Rather than destroy the work they chose instead to relegate it to a storage house. It was only much later, and probably in the context of the subsequent rise in value of Leonardo's artworks, that the work was resurrected and painted over by unknown persons to make it more salable. This later re-working of the panel resulted in alterations to Leonardo's original design. Restoration The Uffizi Gallery has recently completed a six-year restoration of the work, starting in 2012 and finishing in 2017. It has been fully cleaned with years of dirt and old varnish removed. The result is a work that is incredibly bright, with Leonardo's charcoal outline and marks clearly visible. The wood panels have also been restored, ensuring the stability of the work for generations to come. National Geographic's coverage of the painting, after the restoration, offers this commentary:"Leonardo's Adoration of the Magi divulges brushstrokes, colors, and images long hidden under dirt and darkened varnish. The unfinished painting, commissioned in 1481, also shows evidence of the artist’s thought process, including modifications he made as he worked". Related works See also Adoration of the Magi (Filippino Lippi) Adoration of the Magi (Botticelli, 1475) References Bibliography External links Image of the painting Editech srl, Diagnostic Center for Cultural Heritage Article in Physorg, 2006 Rediscovering Leonardo, Osher UCSD Distinguished Lecture Series, June 2008 Da Vinci Decoded, UCSD Alumni, Jan 2006 Adoration of the Magi at the BBC Leonardo da Vinci: anatomical drawings from the Royal Library, Windsor Castle, exhibition catalog fully online as PDF from The Metropolitan Museum of Art, which contains material on Adoration of the Magi (see index) Paintings by Leonardo da Vinci Paintings in the collection of the Uffizi Unfinished paintings 1481 paintings leonardo Horses in art