EPC Spring Lecture
Register:
Saturday, Apr 12, 2025
11 a.m.
– 12 p.m.
| Free with registration |
*General museum admission is FREE for residents of Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties.
Location:
Lecture Hall
5200 Woodward Ave
Detroit, MI 48202
United States
Looking at paintings through a prism
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 understanding the original composition in Jean-Honoré Fragonard’s Young Girl Reading, c.1769 before it was reworked, 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.
Biography
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.
Looking at paintings through a prism
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 understanding the original composition in Jean-Honoré Fragonard’s Young Girl Reading, c.1769 before it was reworked, 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.
Biography
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.