Discoveries

Many paintings in the Gallery once looked quite different from how they do today. Sometimes artists themselves have made changes. In other cases, transformations have been brought about by accident, or through the intentional interventions of dealers and restorers.

Close Examination: Fakes, Mistakes and Discoveries explores some of the stories of change and transformation behind paintings in the National Gallery.

These case studies show how scientific analysis can help detect changes, and how researchers interpret the results to understand why they occurred. Find out about some surprising discoveries made through close examination:

Portrait of Alexander Mornauer

This portrait was given a complete makeover in the 18th century. But why, and by whom?

A Man embracing a Woman

Discover how a circular ceiling painting was cleverly transformed into a rectangular gallery picture

Il Tramonto (The Sunset)

Have interventions by 20th-century restorers deepened the mystery of Giorgione's painting?

Woman at a Window

After 300 years, this seductive beauty was transformed into a demure lady. Find out why

A Man with Dead Birds

De Hooch never intended a still life of dead birds – who transformed this painting and why?

The Virgin and Child before a Firescreen

Portions of this painting are the work of a 19th-century restorer – can you tell which ones?

A Dominican, with the Attributes of Saint Peter Martyr

Modern technology reveals Bellini's original painting – hidden for 400 years

Four Figures at a Table

Which Le Nain brother painted this simple scene? And who painted the mysterious portrait hidden beneath its surface?