French scientists from the University of Paris-Saclay and the Louvre Museum studied the chemical structure of Leonardo da Vinci’s main masterpiece, the Mona Lisa. They discovered a previously unknown detail that points to the innovation of the Italian creator. To work published In the scientific journal of the American Chemical Society (ACS).
After analyzing a piece of material from the painting’s panel using X-rays and synchrotrons, experts found the rare lead mineral plumbonacrite in the famous portrait’s first layer of paint.
This confirmed art historians’ suspicions that Da Vinci used lead oxide powder to thicken the paint and speed its drying. He dissolved the substance in linseed or hazelnut oil and heated the composition, obtaining a pleasantly colored solution reminiscent of golden honey.
“He loved to experiment and each of his paintings is completely different technically. In this case, it is interesting to see that there was a really special technique for applying the first layer of the Mona Lisa,” said Victor Gonzalez, lead author of the study.
Scientists noted that in addition to Leonardo da Vinci, the Dutch master Rembrandt also used plumbonacrit in the 17th century. This may indicate that the secrets of dye recipes have been passed down for centuries.
Previous researchers I learnedHow Renaissance artists made their works resistant to moisture.