Scientists from the Centre for Research and Restoration of Museums of France (C2RMF) and the European Centre for Synchrotron Radiation (ESRF) have decided to move closer to unlocking the artistic Reception Sfumato invented by Leonardo da Vinci. By affixing the many subtle layers of paint the artist sought to effect a smooth transition between colors, mitigate contours wrapping haze. Technique Sfumato long could not reveal. The paintings by Leonardo can not see the brush strokes and sharp contours, so they can explore the traditional ways.

scientists used X-ray spectroscopy, which allows to study the composition of the paint layer without sampling from the surface of cloth, ie, . without damaging the picture. Research has the famous "Mona Lisa" and four other famous paintings by Leonardo - Madonna in the rock, "" Madonna of the Carnation "," John the Baptist "and" Madonna and Child ».

In result, we found out, that Leonardo was inflicted (most likely with his fingers) on the picture to forty thinnest layers of paint. The thickness of no more than two microns, which is 50 times thinner than a human hair. Number lessirovochnyh layers could vary: a bright field layers are extremely thin and less, whereas the dark areas of glaze was applied repeatedly and the total thickness to 55 microns. Given that the period of complete drying each layer could take up to several months, work on the movie was supposed to last for years.

In part lessirovochnyh layers were found microscopic particles of red and black pigment. It is assumed that Leonardo was experimenting with the glaze, adding to her pigments of different colors.

The application of such thin layers required from Leonardo's incredible skill. Even for contemporary artists, this level still remains elusive.

material prepared by Mary Onuchina, AI

Source: telegraph.co.uk , artinvestment.ru