Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper,” a monumental masterpiece of the Renaissance, faced significant degradation over the centuries. Restoring such an iconic piece required more than just skilled hands; it demanded a fusion of art and science. A pivotal element in the restoration process was material analysis, which provided conservators with invaluable insights into the original materials and methods Leonardo used, facilitating a more faithful restoration.
“The Last Supper” was not a conventional fresco, where paint is applied on wet plaster. Instead, Leonardo employed an experimental technique, layering oil and tempera onto a dry wall. This decision, while innovative, led to the painting’s early vulnerability to deterioration. Material analysis was crucial in understanding the unique nature of this layering. Through techniques like spectroscopy, conservators identified the specific pigments Leonardo used. This allowed them to select cleaning agents and restoration materials that wouldn’t inadvertently damage the original work. Moreover, it offered a glimpse into Leonardo’s creative process, revealing which pigments he mixed and layered to achieve specific visual effects.
Additionally, microscopic examinations of paint samples unveiled the structure and condition of the painting on a granular level. This microscopic perspective identified areas of prior, sometimes misguided, restorations. Differentiating between Leonardo’s original strokes and later interventions ensured that modern conservators could make informed decisions about which sections to preserve and which to restore or correct.
Material analysis also shed light on the state of the underlying wall and plaster. Recognizing the porosity, composition, and damage in the wall was vital. Any restoration efforts on the painting’s surface would be in vain if the wall itself wasn’t stabilized and preserved.