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Read the articleAUTHORS
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Laurence DE VIGUERIE: Doctorate from Pierre et Marie Curie University, specializing in the physics and chemistry of materials
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Vincente Armando SOLÉ: Doctor of physics and researcher at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF)
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Philippe WALTER: Director of Research at the CNRS, Laboratoire du Centre de recherche et de restauration des musées de France, UMR 171 of the CNRS
INTRODUCTION
The faces of seven works by Leonardo da Vinci, on display at the Louvre, were analyzed by X-ray fluorescence. The X-ray fluorescence spectra obtained were processed using PyMca software for multi-layer analysis. By modeling the stratigraphy of the painting, it is possible to obtain information on the composition and thickness of the layers.
In the later works, Sainte Anne, La Vierge et l'Enfant, La Joconde and Saint Jean-Baptiste, the use of thicker glazes in the darker areas is clearly evident, accompanied by a modulation in the thickness of the lead white layers. In contrast, the older works (La Belle Ferronnière, for example) do not appear to have any glazes.
Seven paintings from Leonardo da Vinci, exhibited in the Louvre museum, have been analysed by X-ray fluorescence. PyMca software which permits a multilayer analysis was used for the data treatment. It is possible to get information on the layers thickness and their composition, based on hypotheses on the layer stacking.
In the latest paintings, the Virgin and the Child with Saint Anne, The Gioconda, Saint John the Baptist, the use of thicker glazes in the shadows is clearly shown with variations in the thickness of the lead white layers. In the earliest paintings (la Belle Ferronnière, for example) on the contrary, the artist would not have used glazes.
Glacis, Renaissance, paint, non-destructive analysis, quantitative multilayer analysis
Glaze, Renaissance, painting, non destructive analysis, quantitative multilayer analysis
Field: Analytical techniques
Degree of technology diffusion: Emergence | Growth | Maturity
Technologies involved: X-ray fluorescence spectrometry
Applications: Analysis of works of art
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X-ray fluorescence spectrometry analysis of paintings by Leonardo da Vinci
Introduction
Bibliography
Websites
To download PyMca or for more information http://pymca.sourceforge.net/
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