Leonardo’s 'Mona Lisa' Painting Shows Experimental Streak

The scientists' research on the "Mona Lisa" painting indicates that Leonardo da Vinci used a unique and experimental technique in preparing the panel of poplar wood for the artwork. The chemical composition of his base layer of paint contained a rare compound called plumbonacrite, confirming the hypothesis that Leonardo likely used lead oxide powder to thicken and help dry his paint. The discovery gives a deeper understanding of Leonardo's experimental nature and presents a significant advancement in the art world's knowledge of his painting techniques.

Utilizing X-rays to analyze a minuscule paint fragment from the "Mona Lisa," researchers at the CNRS in France discovered a distinctive chemical signature in the base layer, indicating a specific technique used by Leonardo for this renowned portrait. The identification of plumbonacrite in the painting provides a crucial insight into Leonardo's approach to painting and confirms the hypothesis that lead oxide powder was indeed part of his paint recipe. The study's lead author, Victor Gonzalez, emphasized Leonardo's experimental nature and the significance of this discovery in furthering understanding of the artist's techniques.

The researchers' discovery of a rare compound, plumbonacrite, in the base layer of Leonardo da Vinci's "Mona Lisa" has provided new insight into the iconic painting. The analysis of a small paint fragment from the portrait revealed a distinctive oil-paint recipe, suggesting that Leonardo may have been in an experimental mood when he created the artwork. According to the study published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, the identification of plumbonacrite in the painting's base layer confirms the hypothesis that lead oxide powder was likely used by Leonardo to thicken and accelerate the drying of his paint. Carmen Bambach, a specialist in Italian art, described the research as "very exciting" and emphasized the importance of scientifically proven insights into Leonardo's painting techniques for the art world. The discovery of plumbonacrite in the "Mona Lisa" showcases Leonardo's spirit of constant experimentation and highlights the significance of the study's findings for the broader global society. The analysis of the paint fragment, which was no larger than the diameter of a human hair, allowed the scientists to unravel its chemical makeup and confirm the use of lead oxide powder in Leonardo's paint recipe. This chemical fingerprint provides a deeper understanding of Leonardo's experimental approach to painting and indicates the passing on of painting techniques over the centuries. The researchers also found similarities between Leonardo's recipe and that possibly used by Dutch master Rembrandt in the 17th century, further demonstrating the longevity and effectiveness of these painting techniques. Leonardo's method involved dissolving lead oxide powder in linseed or walnut oil to create a thicker, faster-drying paste with a golden color and honey-like flow. Despite these new insights, the researchers believe that there are still many more secrets to be uncovered in Leonardo's works, emphasizing that their findings represent just a small step in the broader knowledge of the artist's techniques.