Analysing Historic Paintings with Micro-XRF
The National Gallery in London used micro-XRF to reveal a hidden sketch on a Leonardo da Vinci painting, which is the focus of their current exhibition. Micro-XRF is a non-destructive technique for mapping elements and analysing layers.
Blue Scientific is the official distributor of Bruker Micro-XRF instruments in the UK and Nordics (Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Iceland). For more information or quotes, please get in touch.
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The National Gallery in London used the Bruker M6 JETSTREAM to help reveal the secrets of Leonardo da Vinci’s painting “The Virgin on the Rocks”.
![Bruker Nano Linked In Post about the National Gallery](https://blue-scientific.com/wp-content/uploads/bruker-nano-nantional-gallery.jpg)
The painting is the focus of The National Gallery’s exhibition “Leonardo: Experience a Masterpiece”.
Researchers discovered completely different underdrawing under the layers of paint. This suggests that Leonardo sketched out one composition, then changed it to another for the final painting.
Macro-XRF was used to map elements on the painting. The materials used for the hidden drawing contained zinc, so the zinc map revealed the hidden lines. Macro-XRF is non-destructive, so it’s ideal for analysing valuable, historic paintings without damaging them.
The exhibition is on at The National Gallery until 26th January 2020. Details here…
Here’s a quick 30 second introduction from the gallery about the fascinating secrets of the painting:
![Bruker M6 JETSTREAM large are micro-XRF spectrometer](https://blue-scientific.com/wp-content/uploads/bruker-m6-jetstream-micro-xrf.jpg)
Bruker M6 JETSTREAM
- Large area micro-XRF
- Map elements to reveal hidden layers, alterations and analyse pigments
- Non-destructive technique
- Convenient, mobile rig for in-situ scanning
- Tilt the rig to scan horizontally or vertically
Analysing Paintings with Micro-XRF
As a non-destructive technique, micro-XRF is ideal for studying paintings, artwork and historical artefacts. By measuring elements and mapping their distribution, you can acquire valuable information about:
- Authenticity of paintings
- Hidden layers
- Alterations, contamination and previous restoration
- Pigments used in the paint and materials
- Information for restoration and conservation
Watch videos of the talks from our Micro-XRF in Art Conservation Workshop to find out more about how micro-XRF works, and how it’s used at The Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge to analyse manuscripts and paintings.
![Micro-XRF element mapping of a painting](https://blue-scientific.com/wp-content/uploads/micro-xrf-paintings.jpg)
More Information
Blue Scientific is the official distributor of Bruker Micro-XRF in the UK and Nordic region. We’re here to provide quotes and answer all your questions – just get in touch.
We’ll also be at the BAPCR (British Association of Paintings Conservator-Restorers) conference “Tales of the Unexpected” in January 2020 – come and see us if you’re attending! Details about the conference here…
Contact us on +44 (0)1223 422 269 or info@blue-scientific.com
Bruker M6 JETSTREAM
More articles about Micro-XRF
![Bruker M6 JETSTREAM](https://blue-scientific.com/wp-content/uploads/bruker-m6-jetstream-live-demo.jpg)