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For the past several decades Scientists are trying to find traces of a lost masterpiece by Leonardo da Vinci (Leonardo da Vinci), who may be hiding behind murals by Giorgio Vasari (Giorgio Vasari) Palazzo Vecchio in Florence. It is likely, however, that soon, thanks to a unique union of art and Nuclear Physics, These searches will be completed safely. If all goes well, next year, scientists will be able even with the help of a specially designed camera take a photo mural by Leonardo.

This fascinating story began in the 70s of last century, When Maurizio Seracini (Maurizio Seracini), while still a student and now a professor at the Faculty of Engineering, University of California at San Diego and head of the Center for Interdisciplinary Research in the field of art, architecture, archeology, set about trying to find a lost Leonardo fresco "Battle of Anghiari." Of course in the history of art Seracini learned that, according to one version, the da Vinci fresco that some contemporaries of the Renaissance titan called his best work is hidden behind a huge mural by Giorgio Vasari in the Hall of Five Hundred in the Palazzo Vecchio (Florence's place of assembly of the People's Council).

According to the descriptions of contemporaries, as well as copies and works inspired by Leonardo's masterpiece, it is known that the mural "The Battle of Anghiari" Da Vinci's incredibly different expressivity. Scale painting depicting embarked on its hind legs hot runners hungry soldiers and bloodshed, in the midst of battle amazing swords has been launched by the artist in 1505. Although the work was not completed, it became widely known and has received deserved recognition. Many artists, including outstanding, creating their own works based on the murals: the so- , Rubens was inspired to create a well-known figure, is in the Louvre, an anonymous copy of this large-scale mural by Leonardo. However, in the middle of the XVI century as a result of complex political and other circumstances of the fresco had been lost.

As a result of scientific studies in which Maurizio Seracini had to exercise powers of deduction at times, he came to the conclusion that Giorgio Vasari, he defended the work of Leonardo in oil specially built more walls, on which he has created their own murals that adorn the Hall of Five Hundred and to this day. (Vasari was commissioned to executed paintings from the Medici family, who returned to power in Florence in 1563 after a brief period of Republican rule.)

Back in the 70s Seracini noticed in one of the banners in the hands of party battles with frescoes by Vasari words «cerca trova» («seek and ye shall find.") This phrase is moved by the scientist and whetted his curiosity and scientific excitement.

Over the years, Maurizio Seracini used various technologies of ultrasound to the infrared and radar to determine the probable location of the mural by Leonardo, and concluded that a portion of it is right under the very treasured inscription «cerca trova». Since the beginning of the new millennium, the scientist also has used radar to find hope in the brickwork completed air cavity, which would become evidence that the painting Vasari applied to the new brick wall built in front of the original wall with frescoes by Leonardo.

beginnings Seracini and his colleagues have supported and continue to support a variety of individuals but in the work of scientists often have a delay caused by Italian officials, as well as due to lack of funding. Now Maurizio Seracini says: "We are closer to a solution than it has ever been." The project found support in the face of a young energetic mayor of Florence, Matteo Renzi (Matteo Renzi), which came to power in 2009. "I have always been interested in the study and, when he became mayor, he decided, during my term, we solve this riddle," - he said.

In 2010, Renzi has signed an agreement with the American National Geographic Society, which has agreed to allocate 250 thousand dollars in Florence in exchange for exclusive rights to publish the results of the study Seracini. Renzi assured that the authorities in Florence will do everything to facilitate a series of scientific tests, scheduled to scientists and his team in 2012. The mayor said: "Next year, you [reporters] do not you write that the study started. I hope that if we are going to discuss another problem: what to do with the discovery of a work by Leonardo?»

In 2005, Seracini began collaborating with scientists from Russia, the Netherlands and the U.S. to develop equipment that would determine whether the mural is where he suggests. Scientists have tried to create a portable device based on those that are commonly used to detect explosives, which could react to the presence of certain paint pigments, as well as the presence of organic matter. The chemical composition of paints in da Vinci, and Vasari's varied and, therefore, detection of the pigments, which are not used in the work of Vasari can serve as proof that there is a fresco for his other work.

Not so long ago to help Maurizio Seracini came with its developments Smiter Robert (Robert Smither), 82-year-old nuclear physicist, nearly half a century has worked at the National Laboratory in Argonne (USA). Smiter has long been working on creating a special camera that would shoot high-resolution inside the body of cancerous tumors.

camera Smitera in which crystals of copper are used as a lens to focus the gamma rays from neutron pre-treated surface, it can help you find the "hidden" mural. He was not only able to determine whether the work of Leonardo is where scientists believe the chemical composition present in indoor paints, but also provides an opportunity to take a snapshot of da Vinci's fresco painting right through the Vasari. However, for a special gamma camera that can "prove" the resulting image, you need the missing 265 000 dollars for the collection of which the National Geographic Society has launched a campaign to Kickstarter.com site.

In fact, all this complicated multi-year project rests on the belief Maurizio Seracini in that fresco by Leonardo remained at the second wall paintings by Vasari, in his original form. However, not possible that over the past century, paint, alas, could dry up and flake off. This assumption, however, does not stop his passionate affair researchers. Seracini has devoted his investigations over 30 years and will not surrender under any circumstances. "Now, so close to the solution, I can not stop, "- he said.

If experiments Maurizio Seracini and his colleagues in the next year will be well and truly brilliant mural will be found behind the wall with paintings by Vasari, it is opening be the subject of a major international art-discussion. It will be necessary to find a way to continue research and get to the creation of Leonardo, not hurting the work of Vasari.

Prepared by Mary Estrova, AI

Source : artinvestment.ru