Spectral imaging of Leonardo Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa: An authentic smile at 1523 dpi with additional infrared data

Two photos of the famous Mona Lisa were taken in October 2004 to contribute towards improving the technical and scientific data of the masterpiece before moving it in April 2005. The capabilities of the multispectral system developed by the LUMIERE TECHNOLOGY Company within the scope of the European CRISATEL project have made it possible to achieve optimal spatial resolution on the masterpiece, the highest level of sharpness ever achieved in the field of infrared reflectography, and a level of accuracy regarding color information which cannot be achieved with traditional technologies. From ultraviolet to infrared, all the details enhance the intimacy of this masterpiece. The scientific utilization of this data will undoubtedly be a major breakthrough to achieve better knowledge of Leonard De Vinci’s work. The remarkable nature of this masterpiece and its specific physical features have required appropriate parameterizations and preliminary tests which are described in this publication.