Medieval History
Developed in part to be a safer form of x-rays, t-rays let researchers see a lot more than bones. The rays help art historians reveal murals that have been buried under plaster for centuries, as well as early drafts of paintings below the final layer of paint. And they do it all without damaging the art.
In a fit of either temperament or sanity, many artists decide to paint or plaster over their own work to make way for something better. Art historians call this "over-painting." And for years, researchers have wanted a way to peek underneath the over-paint to see what came before the final product. Sometimes these hidden drafts let us see what came before a classic work of art, and sometimes they reveal something entirely unexpected. And terahertz radiation is the revolutionary discovery that makes it possible to go beneath the over-painting.
Terahertz radiation was recently used on a painting under restoration in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence. Giotto's Polittico di Badia, was painted in the 1300s, so anyone examining it had to take the utmost care. Terahertz imaging revealed that it was painted on fabric laid over wood, typical of the painting techniques of the time, that Giotto used lead paint to make the white parts stand out, and that the painting was absolutely lousy with gold. The painting if of a solemn angel, rendered in umber, surrounded by a golden halo and golden wings, and wearing a golden robe. Gold foil was used under paints to make the painting radiate heavenly light.
Click here to read this article from IO9
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- Infrared Photography Reveals New Details In Medieval Art
Two medieval art historians from Arizona have been using infrared photography ? utilizing the invisible rays just beyond the red end of the visible spectrum ? to learn about the original preliminary drawings for the painting, layers of paint, changes...
- Mosaic Painting Dating Back To Byzantine Era Unearthed In Idleb
Excavation Department at Idleb Antiquities Directorate on Tuesday unearthed a mosaic painting dating back to the Byzantine Era at Deir Sounbol Church in al-Zawieh Mountain. Head of the Excavation and Studies Department, Anas Haj Zaiydan said that just...
- Medical Imaging Used To Probe Tower Of London Mural
Tucked away in the Tower of London, a mysterious wall painting has been intriguing art historians. Commonly called the Byward Angel, it's one of the most well-preserved murals in the UK and the only surviving medieval interior at the castle. The...
- New Scanner To Reveal Hidden Art Works
Painted-over murals were thought to be irretrievably lost because conventional methods are seldom suitable to rendering the hidden works visible without causing damage. Research scientists now aim to reveal the secrets of these paintings non-destructively...
Medieval History
Physicists help discover medieval art hidden beneath old plaster
Developed in part to be a safer form of x-rays, t-rays let researchers see a lot more than bones. The rays help art historians reveal murals that have been buried under plaster for centuries, as well as early drafts of paintings below the final layer of paint. And they do it all without damaging the art.
In a fit of either temperament or sanity, many artists decide to paint or plaster over their own work to make way for something better. Art historians call this "over-painting." And for years, researchers have wanted a way to peek underneath the over-paint to see what came before the final product. Sometimes these hidden drafts let us see what came before a classic work of art, and sometimes they reveal something entirely unexpected. And terahertz radiation is the revolutionary discovery that makes it possible to go beneath the over-painting.
Terahertz radiation was recently used on a painting under restoration in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence. Giotto's Polittico di Badia, was painted in the 1300s, so anyone examining it had to take the utmost care. Terahertz imaging revealed that it was painted on fabric laid over wood, typical of the painting techniques of the time, that Giotto used lead paint to make the white parts stand out, and that the painting was absolutely lousy with gold. The painting if of a solemn angel, rendered in umber, surrounded by a golden halo and golden wings, and wearing a golden robe. Gold foil was used under paints to make the painting radiate heavenly light.
Click here to read this article from IO9
- Has The Lost Leonardo Da Vinci Painting Been Found?
Researchers are now even closer to answering the question if The Battle of Anghiari is still hidden in the walls of Florence?s Palazzo Vecchio. Led by scientist Maurizio Seracini, a team of researchers have uncovered evidence late last year that appears...
- Infrared Photography Reveals New Details In Medieval Art
Two medieval art historians from Arizona have been using infrared photography ? utilizing the invisible rays just beyond the red end of the visible spectrum ? to learn about the original preliminary drawings for the painting, layers of paint, changes...
- Mosaic Painting Dating Back To Byzantine Era Unearthed In Idleb
Excavation Department at Idleb Antiquities Directorate on Tuesday unearthed a mosaic painting dating back to the Byzantine Era at Deir Sounbol Church in al-Zawieh Mountain. Head of the Excavation and Studies Department, Anas Haj Zaiydan said that just...
- Medical Imaging Used To Probe Tower Of London Mural
Tucked away in the Tower of London, a mysterious wall painting has been intriguing art historians. Commonly called the Byward Angel, it's one of the most well-preserved murals in the UK and the only surviving medieval interior at the castle. The...
- New Scanner To Reveal Hidden Art Works
Painted-over murals were thought to be irretrievably lost because conventional methods are seldom suitable to rendering the hidden works visible without causing damage. Research scientists now aim to reveal the secrets of these paintings non-destructively...