A 16th century drawing of Salai in fancy-dress costume by Leonardo da Vinci. (Wikimedia)In 1476, Leonardo da Vinci was arrested by the Office of the Night under the accusation of sodomy.

A male apprentice, longtime companion and possible lover of Leonardo da Vinci was the main influence and a model for the "Mona Lisa" painting, an Italian researcher said Wednesday. ...

Several Leonardo works, including "St. John the Baptist" and a lesser-known drawing called "Angel Incarnate," were based on Salai, Vinceti told a news conference at the Foreign Press Association.

The drawing was made in the same period as "Mona Lisa," during da Vinci's lifetime, and the paper on which it was sketched was made in Italy, ... Andrea Salai, since the 20th century.

A male apprentice, longtime companion and possible lover of Leonardo da Vinci was the main influence and a model for the "Mona Lisa" painting, an Italian researcher said.