Mona Lisa da Vinci's Gay Lover?

The head of Italy's National Historic Commission says the Mona Lisa is not only a man, but Leonardo da Vinci's assistant and lover.

Silvano Vicenti made the announcement at a press conference in Rome Wednesday. He said the Mona Lisa's real name was Gian Giacomo Caprotti.

Researchers have long questioned the actual identity of the Mona Lisa, long thought to be a portrait of a local merchant's wife.

But Vicenti says Caprotti is featured in several of da Vinci's works, including paintings of John the Baptist and Angel Incarnate. He said Caprotti became da Vinci's apprentice when he was 10 and worked for him for 20 years.