The Mona Lisa analyzed with a multispectral camera

Monna Lisa painted by Leonardo da Vinci has been scanned with a multispectral camera in october 2004. 240 000 000 diffuse reflectance spectra divided on the whole painting have then been digitally recorded. In a first time, the analysis of these spectra allows quantifying the color of each pixel and producing an image with very high quality. The absorption of the aged varnish has then been taken into account. A virtual removing of the varnish has been realized and allows finding again the original colors. The comparison between the recorded spectra and spectral databases allows the identification of the pigments used by the artist. Finally, the theoretical study of the spectra allows depicting the composition of the Monna Lisa's sfumato. An Umber is identified in the upper layer of her face, and a mixture of 1% vermilion and 99% lead white is identified in the under layer. An artistic technique of art glaze is also underlined, a technique invented by the flemish primitive painters and unknown in Italy at this period.