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Leonardo da Vinci, known for his incomparable skills as a painter, inventor, and anatomist, can now be recognized as an innovative chemist as well. Recent research reveals that the renowned "Mona Lisa" holds even greater secrets than anticipated, as da Vinci employed a technique that was only observed in works created a century later.
A rare mineral compound has been detected within the iconic piece by a team of scientists in France and Britain, using X-ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopy. According to a recent study published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, this finding offers new insights into the painting techniques used in the early 1500s.
In addition to lead white pigment and oil, the compound, known as plumbonacrite, was discovered in the base layer of the paint. While previous studies in 2019 identified this mineral in several works by Rembrandt from the 17th century, it had not been observed in works from the Italian Renaissance until this new analysis.
The rare compound plumbonacrite was also found in "The Late Supper," as well as in several 17th-century works by Rembrandt.
Pier Marco Tacca/Getty Images
According to the study, plumbonacrite is created when lead oxides are mixed with oil. This technique of combining the two substances on a palette was later adopted by artists like Rembrandt to expedite the paint drying process. The presence of this rare compound in the "Mona Lisa" implies that Leonardo may have been the pioneering precursor of this method, as noted by Gilles Wallez, a professor at Sorbonne University in Paris and coauthor of the recent study as well as the 2019 report.
"Leonardo's contributions were captivating as he possessed various roles - an artist, a chemist, and a physicist. With a multitude of intriguing ideas and a penchant for experimentation, he diligently sought to enhance the understanding of his era," remarked Wallez.
Researchers uncover hidden element within Leonardo da Vinci masterpieces.
"Every time you uncover one of his methods, you realize that he was visionary," he remarked.
According to Wallez, the "Mona Lisa," along with numerous other paintings from the 16th century, was executed on a wooden panel that necessitated a substantial foundational layer. The researchers speculate that Leonardo had concocted a blend of lead oxide powder and linseed oil to generate the dense paint coating required for the initial application, unintentionally forming the exceptional compound.
Title: Studying the Mona Lisa's Composition
The Mona Lisa, housed in the Louvre in Paris and safeguarded behind glass, poses restrictions on researchers from collecting samples. Nonetheless, utilizing a microsample from 2007, extracted from an area behind the artwork's frame, scientists employed a cutting-edge synchrotron machine to examine the paint. The team utilized the particle accelerator to delve into the molecular composition of the specks.
"These samples possess significant cultural significance," stated Wallez. "Due to the limitations of taking large samples from a painting, a synchrotron is the most effective method for their analysis."
The study revealed that the base layer of Leonardo's mural "The Last Supper" shares the same chemical composition as the "Mona Lisa," despite being painted on a wall. According to Wallez, the scientists were able to examine a broader range of samples from "The Last Supper," totaling 17, which were sourced from the paint deteriorating over time.
Egyptian blue pigment has been detected on the Parthenon sculptures exhibited at the British Museum. Leonardo Da Vinci's collection comprises a limited number, less than 20, of his masterpieces, including renowned artworks like the "Mona Lisa" and "The Last Supper." Scholars are eager to uncover further insights into the artist and his oeuvre as they conduct ongoing research.
"We have long been aware of Leonardo's constant pursuit of experimentation," commented William Wallace, a renowned professor and chair of art history and architecture at Washington University in St. Louis.
"Consequently, it is hardly unexpected to witness his exploration in various artistic mediums, particularly considering his relentless quest for unconventional painting techniques in order to fashion his captivating masterpieces," added Wallace, an authority in Renaissance art and architecture who was not part of the research team.
