Sfumato Painting Technique – Mona Lisa Secret Revealed

Scientist used the X-ray fluorescence spectrometry to uncover that renaissance painting technique known as sfumato used by Leonardo da Vinci to create the subtle shadows and light on the Mona Lisa.

Scientists Crack Mona Lisa’s Secret By X-Raying Her

Sfumato is the mixing of thin layers of pigment, glaze, and oil to create lifelike shadows. The difference with Da Vinci was just how intricate his layers were. Apparently, Da Vinci used 30 layers of paint that amazingly only added 40 micromemters of paint—that’s half the width of a human hair.

The X-ray fluorescence spectrometry used was noninvasive and allowed scientists to see each layer of paint. It’s a tool that’s so precise that it can determine the mix of pigments used by an artist.