Thirteenth century wall paintings under the Siena Cathedral (Italy). Mineralogical and petrographic study of materials, painting techniques and state of conservation

Mugnaini, Sonia; Bagnoli, Anna; Bensi, Paolo; Droghini, F.; Scala, Andrea; Guasparri, Giovanni

doi:10.1016/j.culher.2006.04.002

Cited by 39 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…Mimetite, as a pigment, is mentioned in the literature only in a marginal way -in the painted surface of ancient stone steles in Greece and in the painted decorations of tombs in Macedonia (dated to 325-275 BC) and Syria (dated to the 2nd century AD). [7,40] It implies that in Kuřívody, it would eventually be the first evidence of mimetite pigment in mediaeval European art, confirmed simultaneously by micro-Raman and micro-XRD. In the previously mentioned example, in the Tomb of Three Brothers in Palmyra, Syria, mimetite was identified by micro-XRD in small quantities in highlights of the cloak.…”

Section: Mimetite: Pigment or Alteration Product?mentioning

confidence: 97%

“…[4][5][6] The only evidence comes from the 13th century wall paintings under the Siena Cathedral, Italy, where they were both unambiguously identified by micro-Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction techniques. [7] Tyrian purple and Egyptian blue represent similar examples of pigments related solely to ancient world, which can be found only rarely in the mediaeval European art. The Tyrian purple has been indicated (particularly by the presence of bromine) in mixture with other dyes in the early mediaeval illuminated Byzantine manuscript (created in the 6th century) [8] using non-invasive techniques (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Crocoite PbCrO₄ and mimetite Pb₅(AsO₄)₃Cl: rare minerals in highly degraded mediaeval murals in Northern Bohemia

Hradil

Hradilová

Bezdička

et al. 2014

J Raman Spectroscopy

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Mural paintings of exceptional quality, which can be discerned in spite of their extensive mechanical damage and colour fading, have been uncovered in the church of St. Gallus in Kuřívody, Northern Bohemia, dated to the second half of the 13th century. Materials research with particular use of portable X-ray fluorescence, Raman micro-spectroscopy and powder X-ray micro-diffraction revealed the presence of rare pigments. In Kuřívody, it is only a second identification of intentionally used yellow mineral crocoite (PbCrO 4 ) in European art. Its identification is facilitated by providing a very good Raman scattering, even when present in small amounts in fragmentarily preserved colour layers. Light yellow mimetite (Pb 5 (AsO 4 ) 3 Cl) was never before mentioned as intentionally used pigment in Europe. Its finding in Kuřívody, however, corresponds more likely with undesirable physical-chemical conditions causing its formation by alteration of orpiment (As 2 S 3 ) and minium (Pb 3 O 4 ). Obtained results highlight the importance of Raman spectroscopy for direct identification of mineral pigments in low concentrations, which may be crucial for interpreting cultural heritage objects in historical context. By materials, the almost forgotten paintings in Kuřívody can be seen as outstanding and rare example of ancient artistic tradition that has spread to Europe from Mediterranean in early Middle Ages. After all, mineral crocoite was already used by ancient Egyptians to paint sarcophagi and degraded orpiment decorates the walls of the Nefertari's tomb in Thebes.

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Section: Mimetite: Pigment or Alteration Product?mentioning

confidence: 97%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Crocoite PbCrO₄ and mimetite Pb₅(AsO₄)₃Cl: rare minerals in highly degraded mediaeval murals in Northern Bohemia

Hradil

Hradilová

Bezdička

et al. 2014

J Raman Spectroscopy

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“…The restoration and conservation of these few artistic testimonies still conserved, is nowadays fortunately performed on the basis of a previous analytical study . The advantages of this scientific approach are manifold.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Raman spectroscopic study of the degradation of a middle age mural painting: the role of agricultural activities

Veneranda

Irazola

López

et al. 2014

J Raman Spectroscopy

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The present work was focused on the investigation of the original and decayed materials as well as the degradation phenomena affecting the middle age mural painting preserved in the Assumption's church of Alaiza (Basque Country, Spain). Portable Raman spectroscopy assisted with energy dispersive X‐ray fluorescence was used to identify the nature of the original compounds and to distinguish them from the following: (1) those used in recent restorations and (2) those considered as decaying compounds. The information obtained by this technique was used to select the sampling areas to perform laboratory Raman measurements and soluble salt test, supported by the use of ion chromatography in an attempt to clarify the degradation processes of the mural paintings. These analyses suggested the connection of the deterioration problems with the agricultural activity of the environment surrounding the church. For example, the use of industrial common salt (unpurified NaCl) against the snow and ice, as well as common fertilizers such as NH4NO3 and (NH4)2SO4, generates Na+ and NH4+ cations together with Cl−, NO3−, and SO42−anions that ascent the basal part of the walls causing the decarbonation of calcite and the subsequent disintegration of the mortar. Sulfate compounds were detected in the lower parts of the walls (below half a meter), while nitrate compounds were detected in the higher parts, at heights greater than 1 m. This work is a clear example of the conservation problems in cultural heritage related to the characteristics of the surrounding environment. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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“…2 a-c) indicates painting on dry plaster (lime technique or mezzo-fresco) [9][10][11]. On other hand, the penetration of the pigment grains into the plaster, as is shown in Figure 2d and e, could be ascribed to the thorough carbonation process [8,9] which is typical for a painting on wet plaster (buon fresco) [8][9][10][11].…”

Section: Microscopic Examination Of the Paint Samplesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Regarding the painting technique, two characteristic features of the cross-sectioned samples were considered as relevant indicators of the used techniques, which are: the nature of the binding medium and the paint adherence to plaster [8][9][10][11].…”

Section: Microscopic Examination Of the Paint Samplesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Analytical study of the XIV century wall painting and lime mortars in the "St. George" church in Staro Nagoričane, Republic of Macedonia

Čukovska¹,

Ivanova

Kokolanski

2017

Maced. J. Chem. Chem. Eng.

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This work presents the first comprehensive study of the wall painting in the "St. George" church accomplished mainly by means of Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy using Diffuse Reflectance and Micro-Infrared method (FTIR/DRS/Micro-IR) and the other analytical techniques Optical microscopy (OM), X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Inductively Coupled Plasma -Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). The main research objective was characterization of the artistic palette and painting technique, but also determination of the degradation products and observed alterations to the wall painting. Additionally, the lime mortars (plaster and renders) located immediately behind the studied wall painting were analyzed. The analysis demonstrated that mainly natural/mineral pigments were used in the artwork and the majority of painting was executed in combination of fresco and lime-painting technique. The major risk factor in the painting deterioration was found to be the salt efflorescence, which mostly occurred as oxalates and sulfates.Keywords: wall painting; pigments; binders; degradation products; lime mortars ИСПИТУВАЊЕ НА ЅИДНОТО СЛИКАРСТВО И ВАРОВИТЕ МАЛТЕРИ ОД XIV ВЕК ВО ЦРКВАТА "СВ. ЃОРЃИ" ВО СТАРО НАГОРИЧАНЕ, РЕПУБЛИКА МАКЕДОНИЈАОвој труд претставува прво опсежно испитување на ѕидното сликарство во црквата "Св. Ѓорѓи" со помош на Фуриеова трансформна инфрацрвена спектроскопија (FTIR) користејќи дифузна рефлексиона (DRS) и микро-инфрацрвена спектроскопија (Micro-IR), како и со примена на оптичка микроскопија (ОМ), рендгенска флуоресценција (XRF), рендгенска дифракција (XRD) и масена спектрометрија со индуктивно спрегната плазма (ICP-MS). Главна цел на испитувањата беше карактеризација на уметничката палета и сликарската техника, но и одредување на настанатите промени и деградациони продукти на ѕидното сликарство. Во овој труд е претставена и анализата на варовите малтери коишто се употребени во сликарската подлога и во носечката конструкција на ѕидното сликарство. Аналитичките резултати посочија дека во ѕидното сликарство се употребени земјени/минерални пигменти применувајќи комбинација на фреско и варова техника на сликање. Главен причинител на деструкцијата на сликарството е солната ефлоресценција која главно е образувана од оксалатни и сулфатни соли.Клучни зборови: ѕидно сликарство; пигменти; врзива; деградациони продукти; варови малтери L. Robeva-Čukovska, T. Šijakova-Ivanova, Ž. Kokolanski Maced.

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Thirteenth century wall paintings under the Siena Cathedral (Italy). Mineralogical and petrographic study of materials, painting techniques and state of conservation

Cited by 39 publications

References 3 publications

Crocoite PbCrO₄ and mimetite Pb₅(AsO₄)₃Cl: rare minerals in highly degraded mediaeval murals in Northern Bohemia

Crocoite PbCrO₄ and mimetite Pb₅(AsO₄)₃Cl: rare minerals in highly degraded mediaeval murals in Northern Bohemia

Raman spectroscopic study of the degradation of a middle age mural painting: the role of agricultural activities

Analytical study of the XIV century wall painting and lime mortars in the "St. George" church in Staro Nagoričane, Republic of Macedonia

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Thirteenth century wall paintings under the Siena Cathedral (Italy). Mineralogical and petrographic study of materials, painting techniques and state of conservation

Cited by 39 publications

References 3 publications

Crocoite PbCrO4 and mimetite Pb5(AsO4)3Cl: rare minerals in highly degraded mediaeval murals in Northern Bohemia

Crocoite PbCrO4 and mimetite Pb5(AsO4)3Cl: rare minerals in highly degraded mediaeval murals in Northern Bohemia

Raman spectroscopic study of the degradation of a middle age mural painting: the role of agricultural activities

Analytical study of the XIV century wall painting and lime mortars in the "St. George" church in Staro Nagoričane, Republic of Macedonia

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About

Crocoite PbCrO₄ and mimetite Pb₅(AsO₄)₃Cl: rare minerals in highly degraded mediaeval murals in Northern Bohemia

Crocoite PbCrO₄ and mimetite Pb₅(AsO₄)₃Cl: rare minerals in highly degraded mediaeval murals in Northern Bohemia