An early painting by Leonardo da Vinci has returned to public view in Florence, Italy, after almost six years of restoration work.

Da Vinci's unfinished masterpiece "Adoration of the Magi" went back on display at the Uffizi Gallery on Monday.

"An endangered masterpiece has been saved," the Uffizi's director, Eike Schmidt, said at a presentation.

The painting had gained "light and depth" as a result of the restoration, he said.

Italian Renaissance artist da Vinci (1452-1519) painted "Adoration of the Magi" around 1481, although it was never finished.