Pigment identification in a Greek icon by optical microscopy and infrared microspectroscopy

Kovala‐Demertzi, Dimitra; Papathanasis, Leuteris; Mazzeo, Rocco; Demertzis, Mavroudis A.; Varella, Evagelia A; Prati, Silvia

doi:10.1016/j.culher.2011.06.003

Cited by 23 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…As a saturated radiant hue at a moderate cost, Prussian blue replaced the expensive natural ultramarine gradually. This pigment was widely identified on painted artifacts in Europe, East Asia and South America [12][13][14]. However, reports of Prussian blue used in ancient murals in China are limited.…”

Section: Painting Layers Blue Pigmentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A study on the painting techniques and materials of the murals in the Five Northern Provinces’ Assembly Hall, Ziyang, China

Bai

et al. 2013

Herit Sci

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A limited amount of analytical data is available on the techniques and materials used in the murals of the Qing dynasty in China. The Five Northern Provinces' Assembly Hall (1861-1874) is located in Wafangdian on the confluence of two rivers. It has the largest murals in Shaanxi Province. This paper presents the first comprehensive investigation of the painting techniques and materials of the murals in the Five Northern Provinces' Assembly Hall. The analytical methods include polarized light microscopy (PLM), microscopic examination on crosssections, x-ray fluorescence (XRF), x-ray diffraction (XRD), micro-Raman spectroscopy (μ-RS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy with an energy-dispersive spectrometer (SEM-EDX), which have been used to examine the paint layer stratigraphy, plaster layers, the priming layer and inorganic pigments composition. The results show that the carrier was firstly prepared with two levels of coarse layers, which are made of clay, sand and rice straw applied onto the brick wall, and a fine coat layer made of lime, clay, sand and cotton follows. Then a kaolin-pigmented priming layer was painted on the fine coat, which was finally painted with red lead, red ochre, cinnabar, atacamite, malachite, botallackite, orpiment, yellow ochre, Prussian blue, smalt, azurite, lead white and flame carbons on top. The research suggests that the painting materials of the murals of the Five Northern Provinces' Assembly Hall are original and the techniques were well implemented and followed the traditional and standard way in ancient China. But a few details present strong local characteristics, such as using rice straw, cotton and kaolin as original materials which were more convenient to obtain. This study also indicates that only one red dyestuff was found, and the other colourants are all inorganic. Except Prussian blue, smalt and botallackite used in ancient mural in China were less reported, and the rest of the pigments represent traditional Chinese painting materials. In addition, the usage of the imported pigments Prussian blue and smalt proves that the geographic position of the Five Northern Provinces' Assembly Hall was of crucial importance for trade.

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Section: Painting Layers Blue Pigmentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A study on the painting techniques and materials of the murals in the Five Northern Provinces’ Assembly Hall, Ziyang, China

Bai

et al. 2013

Herit Sci

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Due to these exceptional characteristics and the wide range of application for analysis of archaeological and art sites, FTIR spectroscopy has been selected as main analytical method in many different types of artwork [14][15][16]. A large number of papers have been published, which shows its importance, covering all kinds of specimens and artistic techniques such as paintings [18][19][20], icons [21][22][23][24] pottery [25,26], metal artifacts [6,27], polychromed sculptures [28,29], etc.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%