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Two Leonardos found in 'Last Supper'

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A close up of James the Lesser in Leonardo da Vinci's painting The Last Supper. (UPI /Monika Graff)
A close up of James the Lesser in Leonardo da Vinci's painting The Last Supper. (UPI /Monika Graff)
Updated Aug. 21, 2012 at 11:27 AM
Published: Aug. 18, 2012 at 1:07 PM

ROME, Aug. 18 (UPI) -- A British art expert says two of the figures in Leonardo da Vinci's masterpiece "The Last Supper" are actually self-portraits of the artist.

Ross King said this week that while not a lot is known about Da Vinci's physical appearance at the time he painted "The Last Supper," he is confident the noses on two of the apostles are a giveaway.

King has concluded the long hair, beards and Greek noses on the two matched up with a portrait of the Italian master drawn years later. Greek noses and prominent hair, King said, were "rarities for an Italian man of that period."

Italy's ANSA news agency said art historians long suspected Da Vinci painted himself into the work, but King told The Independent that no one had really taken the time to seriously look for it.

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