Art conservation and restoration experts recently concluded weeks of tests on the famous self-portrait of one of history’s greatest geniuses Leonardo da Vinci, sketched in the early 1500s when he was in his 60s.
The studies confirmed art experts’ worst fears. The drawing is seriously damaged and deteriorating, and any restoration would be delicate and risky.The small drawing of the Renaissance master, which measures 13.2 by 8.5 inches, shows Leonardo with pensive, baggy eyes, bushy eyebrows and a flowing beard.
The self-portrait, done with red chalk on paper, is suffering from what the art restoration world calls “foxing,” a generic term for blotches, spots and stains — marks that should not be there.
Foxing can be caused by oxidation of the pigmentation Leonardo used as well as fungi on the paper, made of hemp, flax and wool, or rust from the iron in the pigments.
“Because this is a masterpiece, prudence has prevailed,” said Maria Cristina Misiti, head of Italy’s Central Institute for Restoration and Conservation of Archival and Book Patrimony.
“It’s scary to deal with a work of art of this magnitude and uniqueness,” she said.
The decision on whether to restore the drawing would be a difficult one to make, and would be taken by the Royal Library of Turin, the restoration institute, and scientists, she said.
The drawing was acquired by King Carlo Alberto of Savoy in 1839 and was well preserved in the Royal Library for nearly 100 years. But in 1929 it was framed and put on a wall, exposing it to sunlight.
“We will continue to study it, to diagnose it. Everyone agrees on that,” Misiti said.
Photo: The famous self-portrait of Renaissance master Leonardo da Vinci is seen in critical condition in this handout photo released to Reuters in Rome on June 26, 2012. REUTERS
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