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The Adoration of the Magi
The first of Dr Seracini's cases concerns the mysterious, unfinished, The Adoration of the Magi.
The Adoration of the Magi is one of Leonardo's most famous works and one of the most important paintings in Italy – a major attraction in Florence's Uffizi. Despite the fact that the work is incomplete – it is part-painted, part-drawn, thousands of people each day are drawn to view this masterpiece of Renaissance art.
Commissioned in 1481 by the Florentine monastery of San Donato Scopeto – The Adoration of the Magi is revolutionary in it's depiction of the three kings visiting the Christ child. It is probably Leonardo's first major independent commission. But why is it so impressive?
Then in 1481, Da Vinci leaves Florence for Milan – and abandons this painting...
Given unprecedented access, Seracini trained his forensic equipment onto the brown and aged masterpiece. Using infra-red reflectography and X-ray analysis, his tools enabled him to see underneath layers of paint. Within hours of examining the painting Seracini discovered hidden secrets that would rock the art world. It was revelation so potentially controversial, Seracini felt he had to be careful "to even think too loud".
