Leonardo da Vinci is well known for the use of less traditional painting methods and substances in his work, and we still make new discoveries in this area – the most recent discovery is the use of toxic pigments in his work. Mona Lisa.
Researchers from France and the United Kingdom observed a tiny microscope taken from a hidden corner of the Mona Lisa, deploying a variety of X-ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopy imaging techniques to identify the substances used.
The team discovered not only oil and lead – as expected – but also the rare compound Leucomine. 5 (CO) 3 ) 3 O(O) 2 )。 Lead salts are formed in oil and oil production processes. Lead (di) oxides (or polybrominated biphenyls) react together, indicating that the latter compound was used by da Vinci.
The team analyzed the miniature detector
"Leonardo is likely to prepare a thick lacquer suitable for covering Mona Lisa wood panels by treating the oil with a high load of lead oxide (ii), wrote the researchers' published paper.
The same PBB compounds have been found in several particles extracted from the Earth's surface. The Last Supper Another famous painting by Leonardo da Vinci. However, in the work of the Italian artist, the only mention of PPO is related to the treatment of skin and hair.
Although lead is not included in his writings, da Vinci appears to have used lead(ii) oxide as a layer. This was previously assumed, but now we have more direct evidence.
It is thought that the oxidative power of lead(ii) would be heated by da Vinci and dissolved in flaxseed or argan oil, producing a mixture that dries thicker and faster than traditional oil paintings – a recipe that was subsequently used by other artists.
The same white lead mineral has also been found in... The Night's Watch painting by Rembrandt was created in 1642 - almost a century and a half after the Mona Lisa. This suggests that the Dutch master used techniques similar to those of Leonardo da Vinci.
This discovery is yet another example of how modern analytical techniques can unlock new discoveries in historical artifacts. Advanced 3D painting has been used before to study another Leonardo da Vinci painting, Mondi .
It is also a testament to the constant innovation of Leonardo da Vinci, who achieved great achievements not only in painting, but also in art. Many other fields - including mathematics, chemistry, and engineering.
"He was a man who loved experimentation, and each of his paintings was technically completely different," said Victor González, a chemist at the Chimi Institute in France.