Science gives new insight into Da Vinci's techniques

Submitted by Milica on Mon, 2007-09-17 10:12
A new scientific technique has been used to study the painting techniques of Leonard Da Vinci. One of his works of art was "bombarded with a narrow beam of high-energy ions" revealing that the master did not mix his colors on a palette, but applied them directly to the canvas.

"This non-destructive technology not only made it possible to identify pigments in the various paint layers, but also allowed us to decipher how Leonardo created his works. It was as if we were watching him while he painted," says Dr Cecilia Frosinini, an art historian at the Opificio delle Pietre Dure restoration lab in Florence.