ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science

Home → Science → News

Unveiling Mona Lisa’s secrets: X-rays reveal Leonardo’s unique paint recipe

Modern science takes a close look at Leonardo's distinct painting technique in "Mona Lisa".

Tibi PuiubyTibi Puiu
October 13, 2023
in Art, News, Physics
A A
Edited and reviewed by Zoe Gordon
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterSubmit to Reddit
Mona Lisa X-ray
AI-generated image of Mona Lisa under an X-ray.

You’ve undoubtedly seen her enigmatic smile, but have you ever wondered about the secrets hidden within the layers of the Mona Lisa? Although it’s the most famous painting in the world, we’re still learning new things about the masterpiece, more than five centuries after Leonardo da Vinci made its first brush strokes.

A new study has recently unveiled another layer to the story of the Mona Lisa, finding that Leonardo experimented quite a bit with his early drafts.

The science behind the smile

When you look directly at Mona Lisa’s eyes, the smile appears to fade. But look from a different angle, and it brightens, almost teasingly. The Italians have a word that explains this ambivalent nature: sfumato. It means ambiguous and up to the imagination. This play of light and shadow is a mark of true genius, showing how Da Vinci’s understanding of human perception was ahead of his time.

Mona Lisa smile closeup
Mona Lisa’s smile has mesmerized generations. Credit: Wikimedia Commons.

However, it seems like Leonardo wasn’t exactly sure how it would all turn out when he embarked on this now iconic project. Using cutting-edge X-ray technology, researchers in France examined the atomic structure of just a tiny speck of the masterpiece, so small it’s almost invisible to the naked eye. What they found was the presence of a rare compound called plumbonacrite. This discovery not only confirms art historians’ theories but also showcases Leonardo’s penchant for experimentation.

So, why is this compound so special? Plumbonacrite acts as a chemical fingerprint for Leonardo’s unique paint recipe. It suggests that the master artist likely used lead oxide powder to enhance the texture and drying process of his paint. Imagine the master at work, dissolving this vibrant orange powder in oils, creating a mixture that flowed “more like honey,” as described by Victor Gonzalez, the study’s lead author and a chemist at France’s top research body, the CNRS.

“In this case, it’s interesting to see that indeed there is a specific technique for the ground layer of ‘Mona Lisa,'” Gonzalez told the AP.

This intricate detail speaks volumes about Leonardo’s incessant drive to innovate and experiment. But this revelation isn’t just about the Mona Lisa. This painting method might have been handed down through generations, with even Rembrandt possibly adopting a similar approach in the 17th century. “It tells us also that those recipes were passed on for centuries,” Gonzalez noted. “It was a very good recipe.”

RelatedPosts

Examples of electricity in nature
Not all fracking is the same – some sites emit a hundred times more than others
Blue-blooded crustacean could pave the way for greener biofuels
Bizarre Rocks in Iceland May Oddly Help Explain the Fall of Rome

As we peel back layers and shine a light on the hidden techniques of the Mona Lisa, we’re reminded that this iconic painting, believed to be a portrayal of Lisa Gherardini, still holds many secrets. As Gonzalez aptly put it, “We are barely scratching the surface.”

ShareTweetShare
Tibi Puiu

Tibi Puiu

Tibi is a science journalist and co-founder of ZME Science. He writes mainly about emerging tech, physics, climate, and space. In his spare time, Tibi likes to make weird music on his computer and groom felines. He has a B.Sc in mechanical engineering and an M.Sc in renewable energy systems.

Related Posts

Biology

The Fungus Behind the Pharaoh’s Curse Might Help Cure Leukemia

byTudor Tarita
2 hours ago
Anthropology

The Woman of Margaux: Reconstructing the Face and Life of a 10,500-Year-Old Hunter-Gatherer

byTudor Tarita
2 hours ago
Archaeology

An Overlooked Hill in Bolivia Turned Out to Be One of the Andes’ Oldest Temples

byTudor Tarita
3 hours ago
Animals

One-Third of the World’s Scavengers are Disappearing And This Could Trigger a Human Health Crisis

byRupendra Brahambhatt
3 hours ago

Recent news

The Fungus Behind the Pharaoh’s Curse Might Help Cure Leukemia

July 2, 2025

The Woman of Margaux: Reconstructing the Face and Life of a 10,500-Year-Old Hunter-Gatherer

July 2, 2025

An Overlooked Hill in Bolivia Turned Out to Be One of the Andes’ Oldest Temples

July 2, 2025
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Editorial Policy
  • Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
  • How we review products
  • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Science News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Space
  • Future
  • Features
    • Natural Sciences
    • Physics
      • Matter and Energy
      • Quantum Mechanics
      • Thermodynamics
    • Chemistry
      • Periodic Table
      • Applied Chemistry
      • Materials
      • Physical Chemistry
    • Biology
      • Anatomy
      • Biochemistry
      • Ecology
      • Genetics
      • Microbiology
      • Plants and Fungi
    • Geology and Paleontology
      • Planet Earth
      • Earth Dynamics
      • Rocks and Minerals
      • Volcanoes
      • Dinosaurs
      • Fossils
    • Animals
      • Mammals
      • Birds
      • Fish
      • Amphibians
      • Reptiles
      • Invertebrates
      • Pets
      • Conservation
      • Animal facts
    • Climate and Weather
      • Climate change
      • Weather and atmosphere
    • Health
      • Drugs
      • Diseases and Conditions
      • Human Body
      • Mind and Brain
      • Food and Nutrition
      • Wellness
    • History and Humanities
      • Anthropology
      • Archaeology
      • History
      • Economics
      • People
      • Sociology
    • Space & Astronomy
      • The Solar System
      • Sun
      • The Moon
      • Planets
      • Asteroids, meteors & comets
      • Astronomy
      • Astrophysics
      • Cosmology
      • Exoplanets & Alien Life
      • Spaceflight and Exploration
    • Technology
      • Computer Science & IT
      • Engineering
      • Inventions
      • Sustainability
      • Renewable Energy
      • Green Living
    • Culture
    • Resources
  • Videos
  • Reviews
  • About Us
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Editorial policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.