Da Vinci Stroke By Stroke

Italian researchers say they have been able to reconstruct for the first time, stroke by stroke, how Renaissance master painter Leonardo da Vinci created his works of art. Investigators at the University of Florence have uncovered Leonardo's method of creating his works of art by using a scientific device to analyze the painting Madonna of the Yarnwinder. "We have been able to understand what type of painting materials he used, how many layers of colours were applied, and in what thickness and sequence." The researchers used what they call a nuclear accelerator device that launches particles at high speed to decipher the painting technique. The examination showed that Leonardo applied thin layers of paint directly on the canvas. Different colours were layered on top of one another to create a rich texture. A high-resolution 3-D laser scan of the Mona Lisa by Canada's National Research Council in 2006 revealed the woman who sat for the Mona Lisa painting may have been pregnant or just given birth. Scientists discovered the Mona Lisa was wearing a translucent gauze garment over her dress — a garment known to be worn by women of the time during or after their pregnancy. (For full source and full article click the Headline). Irish Art