The enigmatic smile of the "Mona Lisa" is now being illuminated by light-emitting diodes specially developed by Toshiba Corp., the electronics giant said June 5.
The new LED illumination suppresses UV radiation, which will prevent degradation of Leonardo da Vinci's 16th century masterpiece at the Louvre Museum in Paris, according to Toshiba.
It said the system highlights the expression and skin tone of the "Mona Lisa," enabling viewers to enjoy more accurate color shades of the painting.
The new lighting system, which is housed in a display that holds the "Mona Lisa," measures 53 x 77 centimeters and has 34 LED chips that evenly illuminate the work.
A half-length oil portrait of who is believed to be Lisa Gherardini of the Gherardini family of Florence and Tuscany, da Vinci's masterpiece is arguably the world's best-known work of art. It is believed to have been painted between 1503 and 1506.
Also using Toshiba's new LED light in the Louvre is the Red Room, where Jacques-Louis David's "Coronation of Napoleon" and other works are displayed.
Toshiba, which has had a partnership with the Paris museum since June 2010, also renovated the lighting of the Louvre's "Court of Napoleon" in May 2012.
