Restaurabits

Secrets and other curiosities

Sala 11: Montaje especial con los resultados del estudio técnico y la restauración (2021-2022)

The enigma of the inscription

Detail of the X-ray image showing the inscription, hidden by the layers of paint on Carpaccio's painting
Detalle de la radiografía donde se aprecia la inscripción, oculta por las capas de pintura de la obra de Carpaccio

Carpaccio’s young knight has always proved enigmatic to scholars. One of the most curious findings of our study was the discovery of a concealed inscription on the back of the painting: ‘A. Durer’. 

X-radiography revealed the existence of this inscription, which is not visible to the naked eye, in the upper part of the painting. It had not been discovered previously because the work had been lined: as the inscription is located on the back of the original support, beneath the new reinforcing canvas, it was hidden from sight. 

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Comparative detail of the visible image and the X-ray of Balthus' painting “The Game of Cards”
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The unknown figure

Our suspicion that the male figure concealed significant information and some kind of secret was confirmed when the painting was studied using a combination of scientific techniques. 

 
Microsample taken from the red decoration of the dress of Ghirlandaio's painting "Portrait of Giovanna Tornabuoni"
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Did you know that each brushstroke hides a secret?

The study of materials of the work investigates the real composition of each layer. The materials analysis was carried out to determine the composition of the original materials used in the painting and how they are distributed in the various layers.

The information obtained from this analysis is useful for understanding the pictorial technique that the artist used.  Each of the micro-samples contains true and reliable evidence of the materials Ghirlandaio used in this work.
Comparative detail of the visible image and infrared reflectography of “Portrait of Giovanna Tournabuoni” by Ghirlandaio
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The hidden necklace

When we examined the infrared image of Ghirlandao’s Portrait of Giovanna degli Albizzi Tornabuoni we discovered that hidden in the neck was a necklace of round beads is not part of the final design.

 
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