Did you know that beneath the visible images of works of art, such as paintings and icons, there often lie hidden images?
Icon painters frequently painted new images over previous ones that had lost their brightness or were damaged over time. Antique icons may contain multiple layers from different centuries, and painters sometimes left hidden images as different versions of the composition or entirely new pictures. These hidden layers can be key proofs of a painting’s authenticity during examination.
For restoration and authentication purposes, it is critically important to have non-destructive tools that analyze the structure and composition of the paint layers. 🛠️ Various physical and chemical research methods diagnose damage, reveal the structure and number of layers, and identify the chemical composition of paints. This information helps determine authorship and methods of restoration.
For example, the painting by Vincent Van Gogh, “Floral Still Life with Poppies and Roses,” which is stored in the Kröller-Müller Museum, underwent X-ray analysis due to doubts about its authenticity. The X-ray revealed an underlying layer with another painting of two men. This hidden image was mentioned in the correspondence between Van Gogh and his brother, confirming the still life’s authenticity.
While IR and UV scanning can sometimes be used, methods based on X-ray technology are the most effective, versatile, and safe ways to “see” inside the coloring layers, separating one from another and revealing hidden images.
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