Sketches found behind da Vinci oil painting

Three sketches possibly drawn by Leonardo da Vinci have been found on the back of one of the master's major works, the Louvre museum said yesterday.

The museum said in a statement that the drawings were found when da Vinci 1500s oil Virgin And Child With St Anne was undergoing routine examination in the Louvre laboratory.

"When taking down the work, a curator noticed two barely visible sketches on the back, representing a horse's head and half a skull," the Louvre said. Further examination revealed a third sketch, a Baby Jesus and Lamb.