Multispectral Imaging and Analysis of Leonardo Da Vinci's "The Annunciation"
Maurizio Seracini first analyzed “The Annunciation” in 1989, before many of today’s best diagnostic and analytical imaging technologies became available. Returning to the Uffizi Gallery in January 2007 as director of CISA3, Seracini resumed his scientific survey of the masterpiece, in collaboration with Uffizi director Antonio Natali. His team performed a series of diagnostic and analytical tests that – initial results indicate – will produce dimensionally greater insight into the work. Unlike the “Adoration of the Magi” (also studied by Seracini), which Leonardo Da Vinci drew but probably never painted, “The Annunciation” is believed to have been created from start to finish by Leonardo Da Vinci’s own hand. Yet little is known about the evolution of the painting from its initial drawing to the completed work. The earlier x-ray analysis showed several notable areas where the underpainting differs from the final painting. Now, through tests including infrared reflectography, CISA3 aims to make the most complete analysis of the painting to date. Initial results will be released in spring 2007, ahead of the work’s temporary move to Japan as part of a Da Vinci exhibition, and CISA3 will later publish a book based on the findings.