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Leonardo da Vinci is a famous artist during the Renaissance period with his most notable work, La Gioconda, among others. Recently, researchers have uncovered more of a whole new world on Leonardo da Vinci’s drawings that reveal tiny life forms living on it.
According to a report from LiveScience, the findings will help researchers build a catalog of microbiomes for the artwork, which will be used to put collections of identified microbes to help form a study on the microscopic biology of the artwork.
Furthermore, the researchers believe that the microbiome on the drawings contains key elements that will help identify counterfeit works of art from authentic ones based on the differences in the microbiome present on them. They would have been able to classify authentic designs that had been preserved under different conditions for many centuries.
The researchers published their study in the journal Frontiers in microbiology on November 20.
Bacteria, fungi and human DNA found in Da Vinci’s drawings
After examining Leonardo da Vinci’s drawings, the researchers found that it contains various microbiomes than expected. They found bacteria and human DNA present on the drawings, likely the result of countless manipulations by art restorers and others.
Additionally, they found microbes that can degrade paper, which shows how much restorer effort is needed on the artwork. Their study shows how in the future the microbiome could play a significant role in uncovering unexpected stories of certain works of art and helping detect fakes.
They examined seven of Leonardo da Vinci’s emblematic drawings to study in which they also found fungi not just bacteria and human DNA. Most of these tiny life forms appeared on drawings well after Da Vinci’s death over 500 years ago, meaning the DNA found came from other people who managed his drawings.
But these little found life forms tell a historical story, according to Science Alert.
Also read: Rare bacteria known to survive only in flight in Antarctica, now found elsewhere
High concentration of bacteria
According to the researchers, they were very surprised to find higher concentrations of bacteria in the drawings compared to fungi, which usually dominate paper objects. However, in this case, bacteria from humans and insects outnumber fungi.
“Overall, the insects, the restorers and the geographic location all appear to have left an invisible trace on the drawings,” the researchers said.
They noted that it is difficult to identify the exact moment when the bacteria dominated the designs. They still carried out a thorough analysis necessary to know who these bacteria might come from.
The researchers used Nanopore to carry out a detailed study of the different tiny life forms featured on the drawings. This new tool can quickly break down and analyze genetic material.
Their previous research also included artistic microbiome studies in the past to learn how smuggled statues were preserved in the past while smugglers hid them. This technique could help reveal new insights into stories that have never been known even on well-researched works of art.
To find out more: Odeuropa project to recreate the smell of 16th century Europe
Find out more news and information about Bacteria and Nanotechnology in the Science Times.
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