What the eyes cannot see

Work type:
Creation year:
2018
Client:
Design:
Filip Heyduk, Martin Strnad
Cooperation:
Fotografie – Vojtěch Kuřátko

This specialized monograph delves into the fascinating phenomenon of the preparatory phase of a painting, known as underdrawing, usually visible only through special instrument equipment. Underdrawing is valuable for studying medieval painting, allowing an examination of changes compared to the final painting and providing a closer look at the individual members' workshop style.

The publication summarizes the results of a project in which the collection of panel paintings of Bohemian origin from the collections of the National Gallery in Prague and its long-term exhibition were systematically examined. The introductory studies present the topic of underdrawings from the perspectives of art history, restoration, and chemical technology. The studies are followed by a catalog featuring nearly fifty selected works, accompanied by extensive photo documentation of the conducted research. This comprehensive examination of underdrawings in the gallery's collection is presented for the first time in the Czech Republic.