How we uncovered the secrets of the Gallery’s oldest painting | National Gallery

[@AleksandraLapaeva]

It would be cool to see the original paiting restored digitally with all the original colors and elements that for various reasons are not visible now. I really enjoyed this video btw. Thank you!

[@MrTorleon]

Absolutely fascinating and a joy to watch. As a retired medieval art historian, who worked, for the most part on the conservation of illuminated manuscripts, I was able to appreciated, in my time, the change from traditional conservation techniques to non invasive digital scanning, a technical advance - which, as this video shows, stunningly reveals so much more information that the passage of time tends to obscure. Brilliant in every way, well produced, top shelf - perhaps more, possibly, in the future ?

[@cestmarrant1]

I so appreciate all the close-ups and animation elements of this video that highlighted what was being discussed.

[@Kis-met]

I love the National Gallery series ....the talks and explanations are wonderful for people like me , who love art but have no technical knowledge of it . What a great way to enjoy all these beautiful pieces , even when I don't have the opportunity to visit The National Gallery. Thank you for all the hard work that goes into producing these videos.

[@MP-ke5ym]

Thank you so much for this video. Please don’t ever stop producing them! The benefit to those of us who live (for example) on the west coast of Canada, are indebted to your team.

[@nationalgallery]

More to come, Marilyn!

[@nikelambooy320]

I'd love to see a modern day reproduction of this, to give some idea of what it would have looked like when it was just painted! absolutely fascinating!

[@rafa-qz9do]

It's always fascinating to look at old paintings such as this one. It's like a window to a completely different world.

[@m.u.550]

I always get goosebumps when i see these old beautiful masterpieces of art, which come from an era so long ago. Thank you for this video!

[@kostas6621]

Beautiful merge of byzantium and western art! I love the painstaking process it took to conserve such a beautiful piece of srt. Incredible the methods used to scan and discover the different kinds of paints and designs that can't longer be seen with our eyes. Beautiful indeed.

[@SpringNotes]

So fascinating. It's wonderful with modern technology, and with open minded staff, you're able to see the true intent of the artist.

[@Beruthiel45]

I love how science illuminates the art and the artist's skills and techniques. It's particularly wonderful when long hidden details are brought to life and we can appreciate the abilities and world view of the past. Thank you. 💞

[@suzannedixon8277]

This was a delight. It's wonderful to be able to view it from Australia, so I endorse the appreciation from others who watched this from their countries around the globe.

[@kittymervine6115]

Thank you, and each person is a delight. You can tell they enjoy their work and understand the importance.

[@favouritemoon4133]

This was completely fascinating from start to finish. I know making videos like this might feel difficult [in all kinds of ways] and that making them takes all of you from other work, but please, please make more like this, because it was just brilliant viewing. My sincere thanks to *everyone* involved.

[@suzannelacy8093]

I live in a Cultural Desert and find it so sad that in my Salad Days 💔 my life was enriched with access to the wonders of the World in London and Paris . Now ( is the winter of my discontent ) these treasures and those of Opera , Ballet , Art , Museums and being part of our diverse Multi.. Cultural environment are sorely missed . Thank you so very much for giving me a little glimpse into what I once had .

[@sophitsa79]

Brilliant video! With my amateur knowledge, stylistically, the painting looks like what would happen if an Italian artist (maybe a Venetian) travelled to the late Byzantine Empire, which by then was largely run by Germanic kings, and had a go at had to go at presenting the Virgin Mary as a byzantine - Germanic queen

[@joealtmaier9271]

Fascinating to see professionals at work. Quite interesting! In addition I'm impressed by the artist's techniques - particularly in having elements of the scenes actually exceed the framing paint. The upper-left corner panel has part of what, a cave? exceeding the painted square it's 'intended' to be bound by. And even the 'mandala' that surrounds the main character exceeds not only her frame, but the entire painting! It extends past the blank border on the top to nearly the wooden frame. In modern times artists discover the visual power of violating bounds like this. This artist knew about it, and used it effectively, hundreds of years ago.

[@larsivarhordnes182]

thank you for publishing this. It is fascinating how you are able to see new sides of these exquisite ancient pieces

[@casanova07scrr]

I totally love this video, the details, the flow of the conversations... Thank you. Greetings from Puerto Rico.

[@gwendolynfish2102]

All of these episodes are wonderful. Such great talent working behind the scenes. Wonderful to see and listen to them!

[@nationalgallery]

Thank you, Gwendolyn. More to come!

[@debbieb-c]

Absolutely brilliant ! Thank you for explaining and showing all the different aspects of the restoration! Loved it!

[@elenabarantcheeva1971]

Thank you for programm on research and restorations on this painting. Next time in gallery, will be looking for it. And with knowledge of details from this video I will appreciate it better. Thanks for educating on restoration work.

[@jamesallison4875]

I love these videos and the amazing young people who work there. Fascinating!

[@watchmedo635]

So glad to see more videos on this restoration!

[@cstz]

Great video as always! I really appreciate that you show us a bit from every stage of the process, including the scientific team and even the process of displaying the work on the wall. Thank you!

[@ashlai1313]

It would be really interesting if you could do an exhibit where people can see the work as it is now, then as it was originally and some pictures of the process the scientists and historians went through to find all the hidden stuff and do restorations. It'd give people a since of how science and art can work together to form a whole picture.

[@chrisfinlay3274]

really interesting, love the National Gallery's medieval collection.

[@lakelili]

Fascinating! Thank you. I have to say that the trellised bands remind me of the painted ceilings in France.

[@annwilliams6438]

Wonderful video. Thank you. The gold indicator lines as you were going along we’re most useful and excellently done (including the light sound effect).

[@sharonkaczorowski8690]

Truly amazing restoration…learned so much from your vids.

[@philreynolds2465]

Loved this episode & the insight given to the work. Only wish they could display the mapping alongside the work so visitors can appreciate it too.

[@tinror]

What fantastic work to be involved in.

[@Philip-bk2dm]

This is the first time that I have seen a reclining nativity Madonna. Charming.

[@sharonkaczorowski8690]

Such a beautiful piece. Wonderful restoration.

[@boblemedieval]

Fantastic work, love that you share the process!

[@cherryllcooper679]

So fascinating! Thank you for sharing.

[@jean-francoisbrunet2031]

Very interesting. I agree with other commentators that it would be nice as a visitor to have access, maybe on some screen, to the hidden layers which must have been somewhat visible at one time.

[@pierrefireball2505]

What a wonderful video to explain the process of restoration of this ancient panting. I would have loved to see maybe a digital reproduction of how beautiful this painting was when it was first painted. What I mean is since the most time when you visited a Museum they have audio to accompany you, so that is what I mean maybe provide digital imaging of it. But nonetheless, this must have been far more beautiful when first painted.

[@ejackson326]

Extremely interesting! Thank you so much

[@robertafierro5592]

The oldest painting! I find that SO.EXCITING!

[@Undermarysmantleforever]

Beautiful painting , thanks for saving it . 👏👏👏

[@sharonkaczorowski8690]

Stunning painting!

[@Cooper_42]

Excellent presentation, thank you.

[@tinafry1740]

Fascinating: thank-you. Are you planning to have pictures and description of the discoveries from the restoration work available for visitors to see?

[@fredhannum4015]

The painting reminds me of comic book art now with a "splash page" in the middle! ! ! Nuff Said.

[@Divertedflight]

I notice the dragon is double headed, in that the tail terminates in another head. I've seen other depicted dragons from the 13th century that have the same trait. I suspect that's because dragons were believed especially devilish in this period. Satan and his demons were illustrated as having no genitals, but a second face instead. ( Perhaps an origin of the expression, two faced?) The double head ended dragons being another variant of this.

[@betsybattles2696]

What would be wonderful would be to take all the data and recreate what it would have looked like when new.

[@ginacrusco234]

Fascinating. The sea-monsters in the St Nicholas scene are key and should be revealed by conservation. Where is the painter's signature on the X-ray image of various elements? Did the material with which it was written not show up, or was it not original?

[@sacredkinetics.lns.8352]

Beautiful presentation, very enlightening. Thank you.

[@mozdickson]

Tremendous work. For those unfamiliar with Christian theology and the New Testament, the stories of the saints (aside from the panels depicting Mary, Christ's mother) are what we'd describe as extra-biblical. In other words legends which are not included in the books within the canon (historically agreed or accepted scriptures) of the New Testament. So no, no dragons or rolling in thorn bushes in the New Testament!

[@archiewoosung5062]

Didn't see the first video, so a 'one-click' link to it here would have been helpful. Is it not desirable to treat the painting in some way (or make a copy of it) to show it as it would have been originally? The room it hangs in looks wonderful, by the way!

[@toddaulner5393]

Revealing much more beauty!

[@teresanferreira]

Thank you.Loved to know Margarito!

[@duncanselvester1045]

Superb! Thank you.

[@warfivevy0neMachines]

Masterpiece Presentation

[@vosegalleries]

Wow, beautiful!

[@Oscarspoem]

Amazing.

[@leelajohn]

I wonder how many other works of art in the National Gallery have been overlooked and labelled as “unsophisticated” when viewed through an ethnocentric lens. 🧐

[@poilagratter2417]

Very instructive, thx.

[@valeriemellor6174]

Fascinating!

[@jeanhawken4482]

Beautiful

[@layalabi1667]

So interesting!! Thank you!

[@reneehomco3207]

Thank you❤

[@donihee137]

Thank you!

[@BlueBaron3339]

So, before the invention of the cold shower there was the thorn bush. It convinced me of one thing: I'm no saint 😂 Wonderful video! Thank you 🥰

[@nationalgallery]

Haha thanks for watching!

[@benwilson6145]

Thank you.

[@ken1midjourney]

Amazing

[@TaffmanGuyo]

Superb, thank you.

[@johannasaninocencio7458]

I would love to see a digital reproduction based on the elemental chromatography images of what the artwork might have looked when it was created.

[@1234j]

Thanks. Really interesting.

[@oscherr]

Great video. Thanks TNG.

[@johns.9819]

thank you

[@johan_johansson_]

Likes only as always 👏🏻💐

[@ruadhscottygirl2480]

I would love to see a segment on how a curator decides what picture goes into which gallery, how it should be hung, what frame it needs etc. to make a cohesive whole. Why did the curator decide this artist should be put near that one, what was the focus-these are decisions that I’ve always wondered how it was done. Thank you for such an entertaining series.

[@nationalgallery]

Hi Ruadh, in this video at 02:41 you can watch as Letizia, one of our Curators, talks a bit about the thought process behind the rehang of our largest room in the Gallery, Room 32: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f2e1Zpl9aMykqs0

[@Guadalupefan]

Love this ❣️

[@JJONNYREPP]

How we uncovered the secrets of the Gallery’s oldest painting | National Gallery 2122pm 17.6.22 hurrah!!!

[@sylviags4479]

Very nice! Sure you will be this crown (more elaborate) in a picture at Museo Nazionale di San Matteo, in Pisa. Santa Caterina di Alessandria, Maestro. Di Calci, Sec. XIII :)

[@AyaBlue22]

12:49 - it appears as though each panel has a bit of a writing(?) above, describing what is featured in the scene but, was whatever the markings were addressed and I missed it?

[@AndersBu]

I love thise vlogs 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻💕💕

[@bevcoughlan8599]

The virgin’s foot might be visible as it says in Genesis the snake will be at her heel. There is another passage that Mary will crush the serpent’s (devil) head.

[@vthompson947]

Fascinating! But St Margaret was not "excreted"! She burst her way out of the dragon's belly, hence her patronage of women in childbirth.

[@shenanigans3710]

That's really interesting. I was born at a St Margaret's hospital and had no idea.

[@dawnsalois]

should display the alternate light source pictures next time she is out on exhibition.

[@bricksloth6920]

So will it eventually be color corrected so you can see the sea creatures and the scales etcetera on the dragon?

[@learnenglishwithauntyjeanp1646]

I never worked out the date it was painted. Just that it was the oldest they had.

[@nationalgallery]

Hi Jean, it was painted in about 1263-4!

[@learnenglishwithauntyjeanp1646]

Thank you!

[@pixibelle3282]

Interesting.

[@h2energynow]

If you could see some of the hidden images, shown by technology, you would get a deeper insight into the painting. More engaging to the viewers too.

[@themarquis336]

You have to love the casualness of their interaction at the beginning. Just in case anyone was still under the impression that museum workers are stuffy and pretentious.

[@andrewvictor1865]

I probably missed it, but did you give us the date of this painting?

[@nationalgallery]

It was made in around 1263-4!

[@DAKESIS17]

speaks volumes about how 'saxonized' English art and world really is... Such a rare example of early Christian art and considered rubbish for so long. Insular much?:)

[@IvoPoblete]

The volume is too low. With complete silence the volume's fine.

[@ВалерійЗема]

This is Emmanuel Christ, blessing the world

[@amandajstar]

Confusing statement about the lower edge of the robe being 'unoriginal': Do you mean that you cleaned/cleared away a later over-painting to reveal the hem and feet? What did it look like before?

[@annakarenina3333]

I rarely comment on videos but the sound quality when the man was speaking was really sad (the XRF) I love these videos- hope the rest of the vids sound will be better

[@kimberlyperrotis8962]

How old is it?

[@nationalgallery]

It was painted in around 1263-4!

[@tinderbox218]

Audio is too low.

[@michellezoe4596]

Why does his last name look like Dearitio and not D'arezzo?

[@marcionphilologos5367]

IT SEEMS TO ME A PAINTING OF THE 12TH CENTURY., CERTAINLY NOT LATER.

[@TheMoneypresident]

Some loony will say dragons 🐉 are real. Proof has been hidden.😂

[@kimberlyperrotis8962]

Could you give a brief description of the painting before the details of its restoration. It might be familiar to you, but it isn’t to us viewers. Thank you.

[@nationalgallery]

Hi Kimberly, we have another video on the painting here! kzbin.info/www/bejne/b37ceoKqqq6EgLM

[@JiveDadson]

It's hideous.