On Saturday, Officials put online an image of the "Last Supper", masterpiece of Leonardo Da Vinci, in 16 billion pixels

- 1600 times stronger than the images taken with the typical 10 million pixel digital camera.

The high resolution will allow experts to examine details of the 15th century wall paintings, including traces of drawings. Leonardo put down before painting, that they otherwise could not. The high resolution allows viewers to look at details as though they were inches from the art work, in contrast to regular photographs, when become grainy as you zoom in. You can see how Leonardo made the cups transparent, something you can't ordinarily see. You can also note the state of degradation the painting is in.

Photo Credit: AP Photo

Besides allowing experts and art lovers to study the masterpiece from home, the project provides a historical document of how the painting appears in 2007, which will be valuable to future generations of art historians. Although there appeared to be problems with the web site late Saturday, it was accessible earlier during the day. The work in Milan's Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, was restored in a painstaking effort that wrapped up in 1999, a project aimed at reversing half a millennium of damage to the famed artwork.

Leonardo had painted the Last Supper dry, so the painting did not cleave to the surface in the fresco style, meaning it is more delicate and subject to wear.

Over the years it has been subjected to bombardments, it was used as a stall by Napoleon. The restoration removed 500 years dirt while also removing previous restoration works that masked Leonardo's own work. Even those who get to Milan have a hard time gaining admission to see the "Last Supper". Visits have been made more difficulty by measures to protect it. Twenty five visitors are admitted every 15 minutes to see the painting for a total of about 320,000 visitors a year.

On the Net:

http://www.haltadefinizione.com

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