What's inside a masterpiece? Laser scans and AI map paint layers molecule by molecule

Paintings are far more than dabs of oil on canvas. They are complex works of art composed of multiple layers, from primer and glues to the pigments and protective varnishes applied by the artists. Being able to see into these layers and map their chemical makeup is essential for art historians and conservators. A new technique developed by an international team of scientists can now probe paint layers in far greater molecular detail than before.