7:30p on August 6, 2024 at the Virginia Air & Space Science Center

Chemical Imaging Spectroscopy of Old Master Paintings

John K. Delaney

Abstract

This lecture highlights the role scientific imaging of paintings, more precisely molecular and elemental imaging spectroscopy, has played in helping to address questions from conservators, curators, and art historians. Case studies will include visualizing the painting stages in Leonardo da Vinci’s painting Ginevra de’ Benci c. 1474/1478, determining the original appearance of Italian Renaissance masterpiece Feast of the Gods 1514/1529 as completed by Giovanni Bellini before it was reworked, and elucidating the working methods of Johannes Vermeer from studies of Woman Holding a Balance c. 1664 and Girl with the Red Hat c. 1669.

Speaker

Dr. John K. Delaney is senior imaging scientist in the scientific research department of the National Gallery of Art, Washington where he oversees the Chemical Imaging Laboratory. His research involves the adaptation of remote sensing techniques for the study of paintings to help address questions in conservation and art history. 

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