Secret to 3D effect in Rembrandt's masterpieces unveiled

Scientists have decoded how renowned Dutch artist Rembrandt lent 3D effect to his masterpieces centuries ago, identifying a previously unknown compound that the artist used in his paintings.

Rembrandt van Rijn revolutionised painting with what is known as the impasto technique which uses thick paint to make features protrude from the surface.

The relief of impasto increases the perceptibility of the paint by increasing its light-reflecting textural properties.

Researchers from Delft University of Technology and the Rijksmuseum in the Netherlands unveiled the precise recipe that helped Rembrandt achieve this effect.

Scientists have known that Rembrandt, epitome of the Dutch Golden Age, achieved the impasto effect by using materials traditionally available on the 17th century Dutch colour market, namely lead white pigment, and organic mediums (mainly linseed oil).

However, the precise recipe was unknown.

Plumbonacrite, Pb5(CO3)3O(OH)2 is the mysterious, missing ingredient of the impasto