Has the Mona Lisa been Xrayed?

The Mona Lisa has been x-rayed multiple times over the years. X-ray technology has been used to examine the painting to better understand the techniques and materials used by Leonardo da Vinci, as well as to identify any changes or alterations made to the painting over time.

One of the earliest x-ray examinations of the Mona Lisa was conducted in 1956, using a technique known as fluoroscopy. This examination revealed that da Vinci had made changes to the painting while he was working on it, including altering the position of the sitter’s arms and hands.

In the 1970s, the painting was x-rayed again, this time using more advanced equipment, which allowed for a more detailed analysis of the painting’s composition.

More recently, in 2004, a team of scientists used non-invasive imaging techniques, including x-ray fluorescence and infrared reflectography, to study the Mona Lisa.

This examination revealed new details about the painting, including the presence of an underdrawing beneath the paint layers and the use of an unusual painting technique known as “sfumato,” in which the paint is applied in layers to create a soft, blurry effect.