The underdrawing in visible light
(magnification: 8x)
central figure's proper right shoulder
through a microscope. Underdrawing,
here executed with a brush, is visible
through the paint surface. It is possible
that diluted ink or paint was used for
the underdrawing, but this is uncertain.
When the painting was first completed, the paint film probably covered over the earlier lay-out sketch of the underdrawing. Oil paint often becomes more transparent when it dries, especially in thinly painted areas.
Underdrawings that are covered by paint can often be revealed by using a camera sensitive to infrared light.
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