Microchemical analysis of Leonardo da Vinci’s lead white paints reveals knowledge and control over pigment scattering properties

Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519) is a key artistic and scientific figure of the Renaissance. He is renowned for his science of art, taking advantage of his acute observations of nature to achieve striking pictorial results. This study describes the analysis of an exceptional sample from one of Leonardo...

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Veröffentlicht in:Scientific reports Jg. 10; H. 1; S. 21715 - 10
Hauptverfasser: Gonzalez, Victor, Hageraats, Selwin, Wallez, Gilles, Eveno, Myriam, Ravaud, Elisabeth, Réfrégiers, Matthieu, Thoury, Mathieu, Menu, Michel, Gourier, Didier
Format: Journal Article
Sprache:Englisch
Veröffentlicht: London Nature Publishing Group UK 10.12.2020
Nature Publishing Group
Nature Portfolio
Schlagworte:
639/301/930/12
639/638/11
Analytical chemistry
Art and art history
Chemical Physics
Chemical Sciences
Humanities and Social Sciences
Lead content
Leonardo Da Vinci (1452-1519)
multidisciplinary
Painters
Paints
Photons
Physics
Pigments
Science
Science (multidisciplinary)
X-ray diffraction
ISSN:2045-2322, 2045-2322
Online-Zugang:Volltext
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Zusammenfassung:Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519) is a key artistic and scientific figure of the Renaissance. He is renowned for his science of art, taking advantage of his acute observations of nature to achieve striking pictorial results. This study describes the analysis of an exceptional sample from one of Leonardo’s final masterpieces: The Virgin and Child with St. Anne (Musée du Louvre, Paris, France). The sample was analyzed at the microscale by synchrotron-based hyperspectral photoluminescence imaging and high-angular X-ray diffraction. The results demonstrate Leonardo’s use of two subtypes of lead white pigment, thus revealing how he must have possessed a precise knowledge of his materials; carefully selecting them according to the aesthetical results he aimed at achieving in each painting. This work provides insights on how Leonardo obtained these grades of pigment and proposes new clues regarding the optical and/or working properties he may have tried to achieve.
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ISSN:2045-2322
2045-2322
DOI:10.1038/s41598-020-78623-5