This work was supported by the ED 397 (Materials Science) in “Pierre et Marie Curie” University (UPMC-Paris VI), and by EU-ARTECH (FP 6, European Union, contract number RII3-CT-2004-506171). The authors thank Vincent Delieuvin, curator of the Italian Renaissance paintings in the Louvre museum, for his help and collaboration in this work. J.-C. Dran, J. Castaing, and E. Anne are acknowledged for critical discussions and reading the manuscript.
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Communication
Revealing the sfumato Technique of Leonardo da Vinci by X-Ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy†
Article first published online: 14 JUL 2010
DOI: 10.1002/anie.201001116
Copyright © 2010 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim
Additional Information
How to Cite
de Viguerie, L., Walter, P., Laval, E., Mottin, B. and Solé, V. (2010), Revealing the sfumato Technique of Leonardo da Vinci by X-Ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 49: 6125–6128. doi: 10.1002/anie.201001116
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Publication History
- Issue published online: 12 AUG 2010
- Article first published online: 14 JUL 2010
- Manuscript Revised: 14 MAY 2010
- Manuscript Received: 23 FEB 2010
Funded by
- ED 397
- EU-ARTECH. Grant Number: RII3-CT-2004-506171
Keywords:
- analytical methods;
- Leonardo da Vinci;
- paintings;
- X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy
Graphical Abstract
Not just a pretty face: Non-invasive X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy was used to reveal the sfumato paint layer stacking method that was used by Leonardo da Vinci to paint the faces in seven of his paintings. A strong diversity in his technique could clearly be seen with this method.