Scientist Reveals Earlier Versions of Da Vinci Masterpiece
French scientist Pascal Cotte discovered two earlier versions of Leonardo Da Vinci's Lady With an Ermine underneath the masterpiece's finished face. The scientist developed a technology that reveals underlying layers of paintings using intense light. The original portrait was ermine-less, then included a small grey one, before the final version with a larger, white animal.
• Secrets of Da Vinci’s Lady with an Ermine Finally Revealed | Artnet