Learn about mysterious, long-lost Da Vinci painting

By Laurie Gordon
Stanhope — In 1417 Leonardo DaVinci painted a portrait that remained hidden from public view for almost 600 years. In 2007 the portrait was discovered. Five years of testing and expert testimony confirmed it as a real DaVinci. There's nothing like a good mystery, and on Saturday, September 16, you can learn all about this one at the Louise Childs Branch Library, in Stanhope, as local artist, David Rush, discusses where it was created, why it was hidden and the fascinating science that confirmed that it was real.
A native of Stanhope, Rush said he has been fascinated with art for a long time, “As far back as I can remember,” he said. “When I was two I started observing color and pattern, light and shadow, this stirred me, and my quest for art began.”
Rush started with the Famous Artists School, then the Newark School of Fine and Industrial Art. From there he went to the Maryland Institute College of Art and he is a New Jersey certified teacher of Technical Vocational Occupations.
Rush said, “Art is life, life is art. I am represented by the Swain Gallery, in Plainfield, plus showing in other venues, galleries and museums. I am booked for next year at the Gaelen Gallery in Livingston, New Jersey, and the main gallery of the Morris County Library in Morristown.”
He added, “I have earned a living for 60 years with art through hard times and good times but always doing what I love the most: creating.” Of his fascination with DaVinci, Rush said, “The DaVinci painting intrigued me in the fact that he did so few art works in his life, and a new one was discovered which had such a unique story behind it, my curiosity was piqued.”
Rush has a true love of art and encourages others to embrace it too. “I started teaching art in 1965 and I am still teaching. Art never stops as long as you have artists searching for a new voice.”
Catch Rush's talk at the Louise Childs Branch Library in Stanhope on Saturday, September 16 at 11:00 a.m. You will also be able to view David Rush’s rendition of the portrait first-hand. This program is free and open to the public but space is limited. Register through the Events link at sussexcountylibrary.org or by calling the Louise Childs Branch at 973 770-1000.