Historical Painting Techniques, Materials, and Studio Practice

Plate 29. Cross sections of the St. Anne Altarpiece, shown in Plate 28. Cross section (a)
through the underdrawing line below the cherub's foot (photographed at X100) shows four
layers: ground, underdrawing, pale gray, and blue-gray. Cross section (b) through a line in
St. Anne's red drapery (photographed at Xl 00) shows multiple layers: ground, type III
underdrawing, two layers of orange red, and multiple layers of red glaze (the layering is not
observable in normal light). Cross section (c) through the "correction" layer in the Virgin's
sleeve (photographed at X 10 0) shows five layers: ground, underdrawing, pale underpaint,
"correction" layer, and dark violet glaze. Sampling by B. Miller. Cross section (d) through
the Virgin's blue drapery (photographed at Xl 00) shows four layers: ground, underdrawing,
pale blue, and dark blue. Cross section (e) through the dark green part of the cloth of honor
shows seven layers: ground, scattered black particles, blue-green, dark green, dark-green and
green glazes, and discolored varnish. Cross section (f) through St. Anthony's cassock (photo­
graphed at Xl 00 ) shows three layers: ground, underdrawing, and violet-gray. Sampling by
B. Miller.