Hidden image found under 500-year-old da Vinci painting "Madonna in the Rocks" (photo)
Scientists have uncovered new secrets of Leonardo da Vinci's famous painting Madonna in the Rocks. Using modern technologies, a preliminary sketch of the artist and his handprints were found under the top layer of paint.
This discovery was made possible by conducting a detailed analysis of the painting using infrared reflectography, X-ray fluorescence scanning, and hyperspectral imaging. These technologies made it possible to look beneath the surface of the painting and see how the composition changed during the work on the masterpiece, LiveScience reports.
It turned out that da Vinci originally planned to depict the angel and the baby Jesus in a slightly different pose. The angel was turned to the viewer and looked at the baby, and the figures were positioned higher. However, the artist later changed the composition, making it more dynamic and expressive.
The researchers used several modern technologies to discover the hidden sketch. Infrared reflexography allowed them to see under the lower layers of paint, X-ray fluorescence scanning helped to identify elements that are not visible to the naked eye, and hyperspectral imaging allowed them to create a detailed map of the painting's surface.
Scientists plan to continue researching the Madonna in the Rocks painting and may discover even more interesting details.
As a reminder, artifacts pointing to a lost ancient city have been found in the Odesa region .
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