Art, they say, is a window into the soul of its creator. And perhaps no painting embodies this feeling like Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa. For centuries, Mona Lisa's mysterious smile has intrigued art enthusiasts and researchers alike, but now, thanks to ground-breaking research by a team of researchers from France and Great Britain, we're looking into the very materials that make up this iconic masterpiece.
Source: pubs.acs.org
In a study that reads like a detective novel, this team of scientists examined a tiny microsample taken from a hidden corner of the painting using X-ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopy. Scientists tried to discover what they were hiding layers of ancient paint. Their findings not only confirmed the presence of oil and lead whites, but also revealed a rare and unexpected compound known as plumbonacrite (Pb5(CO3)3 O(OH)2). This compound is formed when naphtha and lead (II) oxide (or PbO) react.
Interestingly, this is exactly what was found in several micro-samples taken from the surface of The Last Supper, another famous da Vinci painting. Plumbonacrite was also found in Rembrandt's painting The Night Watch, created in 1642 - almost a century and a half after the Mona Lisa. This suggests that the Dutch master used a technique similar to that of da Vinci.
Source: pubs.acs.org
The team's findings provided a groundbreaking look at the materials da Vinci used. Oil and lead whites were indeed present, consistent with the artistic practices of the period. But the real breakthrough came in the form of plumbonacrite, a rare compound of lead.
This discovery is a testament to the powerful interdisciplinary collaboration between the worlds of art and science. Using advanced scientific methods, researchers were able to reveal the hidden side of one of the most famous paintings in the world.
Source: pubs.acs.org
While this study sheds light on Leonardo da Vinci's painting, it also highlights the continued importance of preserving and researching objects from the art world. Understanding the materials used by artists of the past is vital to preserving these treasures for future generations.
Source: pubs.acs.org
