Samples taken from Italian painter Leonardo Da Vinci’s famous paintings ‘Mona Lisa‘ and ‘Last Supper’ reveal the chemicals used by the famous Renaissance artist, which created a unique toxic mixture in his works. went
According to new research published last week in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, he experimented with a mixture of lead oxide that led to the toxic lead compound plumbuna craite in a layer beneath his famous Mona Lisa painting. .
Past research has shown that many paintings from the early 1500s, including the Mona Lisa, were painted on wooden panels, which required a thick ‘undercoat’ of paint to be laid down on the wooden panel to create the image. It used to be.
Other scientists, including scientists from the CNRS, a national center for scientific research in France, say that other painters of the time commonly used gesso, a compound derived from plaster of Paris, but different sciences. Leonardo da Vinci used many different compounds.
He says that he started some of his works by laying down thick layers of white lead paint and adding lead oxide to the oil. It is the orange color that gives the top coat its distinctive drying properties.
He also used a similar technique on the lower wall of the religious painting ‘The Last Supper’, which researchers say is a departure from the traditional fresco mural painting techniques used at the time.
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In the latest study, scientists have used the latest and high-resolution analytical techniques on small samples of these two paintings.
The researchers examined a small ‘micro-sample’ previously taken from a hidden edge of the ‘Mona Lisa’, as well as 17 similar micro-samples taken from the surface of the ‘Last Super’.
The study revealed that not only oil and white lead were found in the layers below these artifacts, but also a very rare lead compound called pulmbonacrite. [Pb5(CO3)O(OH)2] was also present.
Although the material had not previously been found in Italian Renaissance paintings, researchers say it was found in the later paintings of Dutch artist Rem Brandt in the 17th century.
Painters were believed to have used lead oxide to dry their paint faster, but this method has not been proven by experiments for paintings from the time of Leonardo da Vinci.
The only evidence that scientists have found of the use of lead oxide during the time of the famous painter Leonardo da Vinci is in the treatment of skin and hair problems. Although now it is considered poisonous.
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#poisonous #secrets #hidden #Mona #Lisa #painting
Unveiling the Toxic Secrets of the Mona Lisa: An Analysis
A recent discovery has shed new light on the artistic techniques employed by the renowned Renaissance artist, Leonardo da Vinci. Researchers have found that the iconic painting, the Mona Lisa, contains a toxic lead compound, plumbonacrite, in its underlayers. This revelation has sparked interest and raised questions about the artistic methods of the past.
According to a study published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, Da Vinci experimented with a mixture of lead oxide, which led to the formation of the toxic compound plumbonacrite [[3]]. This finding has been corroborated by other sources, including an article by The Independent, which states that the compound was found in a layer beneath the iconic painting [[1]].
So, why is this discovery significant? It highlights the unconventional techniques employed by Da Vinci, which deviated from the traditional methods used by other painters of his time. While many artists of the 16th century used gesso, a compound derived from plaster of Paris, Da Vinci opted for a different approach. He applied thick layers of white lead paint and added lead oxide to the oil, giving the top coat its distinctive drying properties [[2]].
The use of lead oxide was not limited to the Mona Lisa. Researchers have also found evidence of its application in Da Vinci’s other famous work, The Last Supper. Unlike traditional fresco mural painting techniques, Da Vinci employed a similar method to the one used in the Mona Lisa, showcasing his innovative approach to art.
The presence of toxic compounds in the Mona Lisa has significant implications for art conservation and restoration. It raises concerns about the long-term preservation of the painting and the potential risks associated with its handling. As art historians and conservators, it is essential to acknowledge the unconventional techniques employed by Da Vinci and take necessary precautions to protect the artwork.
the discovery of the toxic lead compound plumbonacrite in the Mona Lisa has shed new light on the artistic techniques employed by Leonardo da Vinci. This finding highlights the importance of understanding the chemical composition of artworks and the need for careful preservation and conservation practices.
References:
[[1]] https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/mona-lisa-painting-toxic-secret-b2430862.html
[[2]]https://m.youtube.com/shorts/qc6tA_pdu3g
[[3]]https://www.sciencealert.com/the-mona-lisa-reveals-a-toxic-secret-hidden-inside-the-painting