Mona Lisa: the secret is out
Posted on | July 27, 2010 | No Comments
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Hundreds of years after it was painted scientists have finally discovered how Leonardo da Vinci managed to get his dream like finish to his work. Using a technique called X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy to examine the Mona Lisa and other da Vinci paintings, scientists were able to ascertain that da Vinci painted in layers, very thin layers. Called 'sfumato' this painting style allows the artist to develop shade and depth with layers of paint thinner than a human hair.
Specialists from the Center for Research and Restoration of the Museums of France found that da Vinci painted up to 30 layers of paint on his works to meet his standards of subtlety. Added up, all the layers are less than 40 micrometers, or about half the thickness of a human hair, researcher Philippe Walter said Friday.
Perhaps this labor intensive technique is the reason behind the length of time the Mona Lisa took to paint – four years.
The scientists next want to recreate the specific pigments da Vinci used.
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