As various scientific methods have been employed on the pictures, it's a kind of art meets science. Like when Doctor Who visited Van Gogh (OK, that's science fiction meets art!). Being more on the science side than the arts side, but knowing I ought to appreciate art, I thought I'd enjoy this exhibition and I did.
There was, for instance, the painting "Woman at a window", a picture of a demure Victorian lady. But when they got to work on it, they found she had been "touched up" and she was originally much more provocative and probably no lady! See for more information:
www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/research/woman-at-a-window
Then there was the portrait that had been altered, so that the man now had a cleaver in his head and a dagger in his chest! But his vague smile was unaltered.
But perhaps my favourite was the restorer in the 1930's who was working on Il Tramonto (The Sunset) by Giorgione. At one point the canvas was so damaged, it had to be replaced, and to disguise this, he painted on it a mounted St George slaying the dragon. Maybe he wanted to put an English 'stamp' on the painting!
As I said, a very enjoyable afternoon, well worth the visit, including the 15 minute film giving more detail.
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