Houston: Italian polymath Leonardo da Vinci’s muse for the iconic Mona Lisa painting may not have suffered from hypothyroidism as suggested by recent studies, scientists say. Michael Yafi, from The University of Texas Health Science Center in the US, noted the painting doesn’t match the countless other depictions of goiters or enlargements of the thyroid gland. The painting of Lisa Gherardini has captivated millions since its creation in 1500s.
For years, experts have studied the discolouration of Gherardini’s skin, the thickness of neck, and enigmatic smile to hypothesise about her health during the Renaissance. This theory suggests she suffered from hypothyroidism or underactive thyroid.