X-ray in a manger - centuries old nativity discovered during painting investigation



From left-right: The painting as it appears today, the x-ray of the painting discovered underneath with the figures outlined, and the outline without the x-ray background.

Dec 19, 2019

Art experts have experienced something of a Christmas miracle after discovering what could be a 16th century painting of a nativity scene hidden under another work of art.

Art conservators from Northumbria University have been working with The Bowes Museum to examine a centuries-old painting depicting the beheading of Saint John the Baptist.

But they got a surprise when an x-ray of the artwork revealed another image underneath – featuring angels with halos, a baby in a manger and the outline of what appears to a stable building.

http://newsroom.northumbria.ac.uk/pr...gation-2955239