Microanalytical investigation of degradation issues in Byzantine wall paintings |
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Authors: | S Sotiropoulou Sister Daniilia C Miliani F Rosi L Cartechini D Papanikola-Bakirtzis |
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Institution: | (1) “Ormylia” Art Diagnosis Centre, Sacred Convent of the Annunciation, 63071 Ormylia, Greece;(2) CNR-ISTM, Dipartimento di Chimica, Via Elce di Sotto, 8, 06123 Perugia, Italy;(3) SMAArt, Dipartimento di Chimica, Via Elce di Sotto, 8, 06123 Perugia, Italy;(4) Archaeological Institute of Macedonian and Thracian Studies, Thessaloniki, Greece |
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Abstract: | The St. Euthymius wall paintings, in the Cathedral of Thessaloniki, dated 1303 AD., are stylistically attributed to the School
of Panselinos, one of the most important painters of Palaeologean Art.
An in situ non-invasive study has been carried out as part of a MOLAB project (a mobile laboratory accessible through the
Eu-ARTECH project, funded by the EC 6th FP) combining different analytical techniques such as XRF, mid-FTIR and UV-vis diffuse
reflectance spectroscopy. It was during this comprehensive in situ study that certain scientific queries were raised about
sensitive areas, where indications of the phenomena of decay requested further attention. A subsequent laboratory study of
selected cross-sections using microscopic analysis with μFTIR, SEM-EDS and μRaman, further confirmed the identification of
only the atypical in situ observations.
The comparative interpretation of all respective results on the specific regions of interest permitted the identification
of several degradation phenomena which justify certain aesthetic or stylistic incoherences in the representations. Namely,
(i) thermal dehydration of the yellow ochre explaining the reddish appearance of the flesh tones and halos as an accidental
effect of the fire; (ii) thermal degradation of azurite converted to tenorite explaining the atypical instance of dark lightings
on the purple garments; (iii) degradation of red lead employed in the lightings of the red garments; (iv) widespread presence
of oxalates in the paint surface.
PACS 87.64.Je; 87.64.Rr; 87.64.Ee |
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