The headline from three days ago read: “Da Vinci mystery: 'Abandoned' angel and Christ discovered beneath masterpiece”. The article, written by James Rogers and published August 16, 2019 on Foxnews.com, shared how art experts have now used sophisticated imaging technology to reveal the hidden drawings of an angel and Christ beneath a Leonardo da Vinci masterpiece.
The painting in question hangs at the National Gallery on Trafalgar Square in London and is known as “The Virgin of the Rocks”.
Macro X-ray fluorescence technology, recently applied to it, reveals zinc in the underlying drawings. Once discovered, additional Infrared and hyperspectral imaging were also used to reveal the details of the hidden figures.
According to the article:
“Now for the first time Leonardo’s initial designs for the angel and the Infant Christ can be seen, showing significant differences to how they look in the finished painting,” the Gallery explained in a statement. “In the abandoned composition both figures are positioned higher up, while the angel, facing out, is looking down on the Infant Christ with what appears to be a much tighter embrace.”
What remains unclear, however, is why da Vinci decided to ditch the original design. To further quote the article:
“Why Leonardo abandoned this first composition still remains a mystery,” said the National Gallery in its statement. “The new research has shown how the second under-drawing, while aligning much more closely to the finished version, nonetheless displays his characteristic elaborations and adjustments from drawing to painting. For instance, the angle of the Infant Christ’s head was changed so that he was seen in profile, while some parts of the angel’s curly hair have been removed.”
The analysis also revealed human handprints on the painting; although it has yet to be determined whether they belong to da Vinci, an assistant or someone else. Leonardo’s actual fingerprint, dating from 1509 or 1510 was discovered under an earlier, similar investigation on another masterpiece owned by Queen Elizabeth II of England.
Of course, art enthusiasts around the world are aware that May 2, 2019 marked the 500th anniversary of da Vinci’s death. The original “Renaissance man”, known for his painting, sculpture, writings, original scientific pursuits (such as the dissections of cadavers) and above all, his impressive mechanical inventions, which were hundreds of years ahead of their time, continues to be a source of fascination with people worldwide.
As I read this story, I could not help but think of what the Bible tells us in the 24th chapter of the New Testament Gospel of Luke. In verse 27, we read:
“And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.”
Later, as if to underscore this, in verses 44-46, we also read:
“He said to them, ‘This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.’ Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, ‘This is what is written...’”
I take from this that a careful examination of the Old Testament will show anyone that Jesus Christ, as the long awaited Messiah, lies just below the surface. Indeed, with God’s enlightenment, His presence there can clearly be seen there. And once it is, one can never look at the Old Testament the same way again.
The next time you sit down to read through the Old Testament, either in whole or in part, why not pray and ask God to help you see the portrait of Jesus Christ that lies just beneath the surface?
I am confident that He will answer this prayer; and as you begin to see things you may have never seen before, you will very likely get more from the Bible than you ever have before!
STORY SOURCE:
https://www.foxnews.com/science/da-vinci-angel-christ-discovered. NOTE: The Associated Press and Fox News’ Chris Ciaccia contributed to this article. The principle author, James Rogers, can be followed on Twitter @jamesjrogers.
SEE ALSO: https://www.foxnews.com/science/leonardo-da-vincis-thumbprint-discovered-drawing-in-queen-elizabeths-collection-reveals-secrets.
AS WELL AS: https://www.leonardodavinci.net/.
SCRIPTURE SOURCE:
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=luke%2024&version=NIV.
The painting in question hangs at the National Gallery on Trafalgar Square in London and is known as “The Virgin of the Rocks”.
Macro X-ray fluorescence technology, recently applied to it, reveals zinc in the underlying drawings. Once discovered, additional Infrared and hyperspectral imaging were also used to reveal the details of the hidden figures.
According to the article:
“Now for the first time Leonardo’s initial designs for the angel and the Infant Christ can be seen, showing significant differences to how they look in the finished painting,” the Gallery explained in a statement. “In the abandoned composition both figures are positioned higher up, while the angel, facing out, is looking down on the Infant Christ with what appears to be a much tighter embrace.”
What remains unclear, however, is why da Vinci decided to ditch the original design. To further quote the article:
“Why Leonardo abandoned this first composition still remains a mystery,” said the National Gallery in its statement. “The new research has shown how the second under-drawing, while aligning much more closely to the finished version, nonetheless displays his characteristic elaborations and adjustments from drawing to painting. For instance, the angle of the Infant Christ’s head was changed so that he was seen in profile, while some parts of the angel’s curly hair have been removed.”
The analysis also revealed human handprints on the painting; although it has yet to be determined whether they belong to da Vinci, an assistant or someone else. Leonardo’s actual fingerprint, dating from 1509 or 1510 was discovered under an earlier, similar investigation on another masterpiece owned by Queen Elizabeth II of England.
Of course, art enthusiasts around the world are aware that May 2, 2019 marked the 500th anniversary of da Vinci’s death. The original “Renaissance man”, known for his painting, sculpture, writings, original scientific pursuits (such as the dissections of cadavers) and above all, his impressive mechanical inventions, which were hundreds of years ahead of their time, continues to be a source of fascination with people worldwide.
As I read this story, I could not help but think of what the Bible tells us in the 24th chapter of the New Testament Gospel of Luke. In verse 27, we read:
“And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.”
Later, as if to underscore this, in verses 44-46, we also read:
“He said to them, ‘This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.’ Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, ‘This is what is written...’”
I take from this that a careful examination of the Old Testament will show anyone that Jesus Christ, as the long awaited Messiah, lies just below the surface. Indeed, with God’s enlightenment, His presence there can clearly be seen there. And once it is, one can never look at the Old Testament the same way again.
The next time you sit down to read through the Old Testament, either in whole or in part, why not pray and ask God to help you see the portrait of Jesus Christ that lies just beneath the surface?
I am confident that He will answer this prayer; and as you begin to see things you may have never seen before, you will very likely get more from the Bible than you ever have before!
STORY SOURCE:
https://www.foxnews.com/science/da-vinci-angel-christ-discovered. NOTE: The Associated Press and Fox News’ Chris Ciaccia contributed to this article. The principle author, James Rogers, can be followed on Twitter @jamesjrogers.
SEE ALSO: https://www.foxnews.com/science/leonardo-da-vincis-thumbprint-discovered-drawing-in-queen-elizabeths-collection-reveals-secrets.
AS WELL AS: https://www.leonardodavinci.net/.
SCRIPTURE SOURCE:
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=luke%2024&version=NIV.