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In Search of Leonardo's Lost Fresco |
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Sunday, 28 October 2007 |
Palazzo Vecchio, Florence
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It is widely known that Vasari painted a mural over an unfinished fresco by Leonardo at the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence.
However, Maurizio Seracini is studying the hypothesis that the fresco
may still exist under Vasari's mural. Seracini and colleagues from the
University of San Diego, USA, are studying bricks and stonework found
in the Palazzo and that once were part of the wall.
Some years ago, Seracini's team found a cavity under Vasari's mural
using radar and X-ray scans. Now, the team will proceed to study more
in-depth the wall. Using a laser scanner they will first construct a 3D
model of Vasari's wall assisted by thermal imaging and later by the
analysis of the painting materials.
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The study from Vasari's fresco - paint and wall - is fundamental for
the next step of the plan: to study the structure by neutron analysis.
According to Seracini, by knowing the composition of Vasari's mural
they can subtract it to the data obtained from the wall and analyse
Leonardo's fresco.
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More information:
Wired
Associated Press
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