This is the Mona Lisa.
Recently, an analysis was done which sheds new light on how Leonardo da Vinci created his most enduring masterpiece...
Here's the secret they uncovered: 🧵
Recently, an analysis was done which sheds new light on how Leonardo da Vinci created his most enduring masterpiece...
Here's the secret they uncovered: 🧵
This recent analysis of the Mona Lisa's underpainting has revealed an unexpected compound: plumbonacrite.
This extremely rare lead carbonate is only stable in alkaline environments.
This is a very significant find....
This extremely rare lead carbonate is only stable in alkaline environments.
This is a very significant find....
The presence of plumbonacrite suggests that Leonardo was using lead oxide (PbO) as a drying agent in his primer formula.
This was a highly unusual practice for Italian Renaissance painters...
This was a highly unusual practice for Italian Renaissance painters...
The lead oxide acted as a base.
-creating cross-links between oil molecules
This thickened the paint, making it easier for Leonardo to smooth out cracks in the wooden panel he was painting on...
-creating cross-links between oil molecules
This thickened the paint, making it easier for Leonardo to smooth out cracks in the wooden panel he was painting on...
The Mona Lisa's primer layer contained about 13% plumbonacrite.
This compound forms as a by-product of a reaction between oil and lead(II) oxide.
But this is where it gets interesting...
This compound forms as a by-product of a reaction between oil and lead(II) oxide.
But this is where it gets interesting...
Leonardo's use of lead oxide was way ahead of his time.
It wasn't until over a century later that Rembrandt would use significant amounts of it to add depth and dimensionality to his portraits...
It wasn't until over a century later that Rembrandt would use significant amounts of it to add depth and dimensionality to his portraits...
The plumbonacrite crystals in the paint scatter light in a unique way.
-giving it a luminous quality.
This might contribute to the Mona Lisa's famous enigmatic luminous glow...
-giving it a luminous quality.
This might contribute to the Mona Lisa's famous enigmatic luminous glow...
Leonardo's experimental approach extended beyond just the Mona Lisa
Similar compounds were found in samples from his Last Supper mural.
-suggesting he used a similar priming method for that work as well...
Similar compounds were found in samples from his Last Supper mural.
-suggesting he used a similar priming method for that work as well...
The research team used cutting-edge technology to make these discoveries.
They employed synchrotron X-ray diffraction and Micro-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy to analyze a tiny piece of the Mona Lisa's underlayer...
They employed synchrotron X-ray diffraction and Micro-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy to analyze a tiny piece of the Mona Lisa's underlayer...
The sample analyzed was taken from a hidden edge of the painting during a 2007 restoration.
-allowing researchers to peek into the artwork's chemical composition without damaging the visible portions.
-allowing researchers to peek into the artwork's chemical composition without damaging the visible portions.
Leonardo's base layer contained high lead content in several forms.
In addition to plumbonacrite, researchers found lead white.
- a mixture of two lead carbonate salts commonly used as a white pigment.
In addition to plumbonacrite, researchers found lead white.
- a mixture of two lead carbonate salts commonly used as a white pigment.
The Mona Lisa's paint layers also contain a variety of organic pigments as one would expect.
These include ochres for earth tones, lapis lazuli for blues, and vermilion for reds, all mixed with linseed oil to create rich, vibrant colors...
These include ochres for earth tones, lapis lazuli for blues, and vermilion for reds, all mixed with linseed oil to create rich, vibrant colors...
Not only was Leonardo a master painter, and draftsman...
But it seems that he was a master of chemistry as well..
But it seems that he was a master of chemistry as well..
These discoveries display Leonardo's extraordinary observational skills and scientific intuition.
He was essentially doing chemistry before it became a properly established science in the 18th century...
He was essentially doing chemistry before it became a properly established science in the 18th century...
The Mona Lisa continues to reveal Leonardo's secrets, centuries after its creation.
Each new discovery gives us insight into the Mind of one of the greatest men in history, Leonardo da Vinci...
Each new discovery gives us insight into the Mind of one of the greatest men in history, Leonardo da Vinci...
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