The artist applied a previously unknown layer of lead-based impregnation to his masterpiece to increase the durability of the painting.
In the painting “Night watch”, which Rembrandt painted in 1642, during another scientific study a lead layer was discovered.
This answered the question of where lead crystals periodically appeared on the surface of the work, writes CNN.
Researchers used X-rays, spectroscopy of a paint sample, and 3D digital reconstruction together for the first time. This is the first painting by Rembrandt to contain a lead layer.
Rembrandt and his contemporaries usually began work on a painting by covering the canvas with a layer of glue to stiffen it, and then applying a base layer of pigment to prime the canvas.
However, in the painting “Night Watch” there was no adhesive layer. Perhaps Rembrandt used a lead layer instead, which additionally protected the canvas from destruction.
“The Night Watch” is a painting by the Dutch artist Rembrandt, who was one of the most famous artists of the 17th century.
Rembrandt finished work on the painting in 1642. It was painted by order of the captain of the Amsterdam civil militia, who wished to decorate his new building. However, in 1715 the painting was cut off on all four sides because the canvas was very large and made moving difficult.
Previously it became known that specialists from the National Gallery of Scotland discovered a previously unknown self-portrait of the artist on the back of paintings by Vincent Van Gogh “Head of a Peasant Woman”. /p>
Related topics:
More news
