X-ray analyses of Renoir works on display in Tokyo

An exhibition of works by the French impressionist Pierre-Auguste Renoir opens at a museum in Tokyo on Wednesday. It features rare analyses of his painting techniques using X-ray and infrared ray technologies.

On display at the National Art Center, Tokyo, are 77 paintings and sculptures by Renoir. Works such as "Woman with a fan" have a Japanese influence.

The exhibition includes the results of a study conducted by the Pola Museum of Art in Hakone, west of Tokyo.
It analyzed Renoir's paintings using X-ray and infrared devices.

An infrared study reveals inner body lines on a bathing woman in one painting, showing that the first version was thinner.

An X-ray analysis of another painting, "The Coiffure," indicates that Renoir repeatedly altered a woman's hands.

A Pola Museum of Art official says its study has shed light on Renoir's overpainting technique.

The exhibition continues until April 5th