Uncovering da Vinci's Mona Lisa

NRC's 3D scan sheds light on Leonardo da Vinci's most famous painting

September 26, 2006 – Ottawa, ON – Today the National Research Council of Canada in collaboration with the Centre de recherche et de restauration des musées de France (C2RMF) announced the completion of the most important scientific study ever done of Leonardo da Vinci's portrait of the Mona Lisa.

By request of C2RMF, researchers from the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) traveled to Paris to scan the Mona with its sophisticated 3D laser scanner. NRC's 3D scanner – capable of scanning 3D images at a depth resolution of 10 micro-meters, or about 1/10 the diameter of a human hair – has provided a number of unique views of the portrait that will assist curators and conservators in their ongoing studies of the 500-year-old masterpiece. "The 3D scan of the Mona Lisa has not only helped to further our understanding of Leonardo's sfumato technique of soft, heavily shaded modeling, but will also help to address the conservation and deterioration concerns we have," said Henri Loyrette, Director of the Musée du Louvre which commissioned the study.

The results of this study are published in Au coeur de la Joconde in French by Les Éditions Gallimard and Mona Lisa: Inside the Painting published in English by Harry N. Abrams Inc. The German edition, which was released in May 2006, is titled Mona Lisa: Das große Buch zum berühmtesten Gemälde der Welt published by Schirmer/Mosel.   Some of the conclusions include:

• The wood panel on which the Mona Lisa is painted is sensitive to temperature and climate variations. However, if its current storage conditions are maintained, there is no risk of degradation.
• The 12 cm split on the top half of the painting, which was probably due to the removal of the original frame and repaired between the middle of the XVIII and beginning of the XIX century, appears to be stable and has not worsened over time.
• The very fine craquelure pattern recorded by the laser scanner seems to corroborate other inspection techniques and conclusions that support the principle of minimum intervention on the painting as recommended by the experts.

NRC's patented 3D technology has injected $50-million annually into the Canadian economy through licensing the technology to private sector partners and led to the creation of over 300 jobs. "This is a significant achievement for Canada that clearly demonstrates the government's commitment to research and development that will benefit Canadian industry." said Royal Galipeau, MP Ottawa-Orléans on behalf of the Hon. Maxime Bernier, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for the National Research Council of Canada.

During the coming months, NRC will continue its research in collaboration with the C2RMF. Current studies focus on the very fine details of the paint layers and Leonardo's famous sfumato technique. The findings of these studies will be published as the work progresses. "This is an important achievement that would not have been possible without the expertise of NRC which has proved, once again, why they are world leaders in 3D innovation," said Christiane Naffah, Director of C2RMF.

NRC's 3D technology, as well as its expertise, have become internationally recognized by the museum and heritage communities alike. Previously, NRC collaborated with Canadian and international museums to digitally record renowned works of art, such as Michelangelo's famous marble statue of David, paintings by Renoir, Corot, and Thomson, and Bill Reid's Haida sculptures. "Collaborations and partnerships like this one are an important part of the way we do business at NRC. It is how NRC envisions Canada competing effectively in our global knowledge economy." said Pierre Coulombe, President of the NRC.

In addition to scanning valuable works of art, NRC's 3D technology has a range of other applications in the industrial, medical, space, forensic and entertainment sectors and been licensed to several Canadian companies with considerable success. Licensees have worked with major Hollywood movie studios, NASA, and car manufacturers such as Honda, Ford, and Rolls Royce. 

Recognized globally for research and innovation, Canada's National Research Council (NRC) is a leader in the development of an innovative, knowledge-based economy for Canada through science and technology.

For more information, please visit the NRC Web site at http://www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca, or contact:

Sarah Mangione
Communications Advisor
National Research Council of Canada
Tel.: (613) 990-6091
E-mail: media@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca

Claudia Muñante
Communications Officer
National Research Council of Canada
Tel: (613) 990-7117
Email: Claudia.munante@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca