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Discovering Caravaggio. Technical study and restoration of "St. Catherine of Alexandria"
Exhibition December 17, 2018 − May 26, 2019
Thyssen-Bornemisza Museumpresented the results restoration and technical studies of one of the iconic paintings in his collection - "St. Catherine of Alexandria" by Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio.
The exposition includes X-rays and infrared reflectograms, which illustrate the most interesting aspects of the work performed, explain the methods used and indicate the excellent quality of the picture. The process of restoration, the most significant discoveries and interesting details are also presented in the video.
Analysis of the colors showed that in the first version the dress of the heroine was red, but later the artist chose a different shade for him. Violet-blue paint, which eventually was painted dress contains azure. The presence of this semi-precious stone indicates that Caravaggio received funds to purchase the best materials for this order.
X-ray also showed a number of changes that the artist made. The most significant belong to the hands of a young woman: initially they were higher. The picture shows numerous fingers around the left hand, indicating that the painter was looking for options for their location. Experts also saw that he drew the entire circumference of the wheel to fit it into the composition, and then painted over the part that, according to legend, broke when the saint touched it.
The exposition includes X-rays and infrared reflectograms, which illustrate the most interesting aspects of the work performed, explain the methods used and indicate the excellent quality of the picture. The process of restoration, the most significant discoveries and interesting details are also presented in the video.
Analysis of the colors showed that in the first version the dress of the heroine was red, but later the artist chose a different shade for him. Violet-blue paint, which eventually was painted dress contains azure. The presence of this semi-precious stone indicates that Caravaggio received funds to purchase the best materials for this order.
X-ray also showed a number of changes that the artist made. The most significant belong to the hands of a young woman: initially they were higher. The picture shows numerous fingers around the left hand, indicating that the painter was looking for options for their location. Experts also saw that he drew the entire circumference of the wheel to fit it into the composition, and then painted over the part that, according to legend, broke when the saint touched it.
