Special Issue "Results of the II National Research Project of AIAr: Archaeometric Study of the Frescoes by Saturnino Gatti and Workshop at the Church of San Panfilo in Tornimparte (AQ, Italy)"

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Earth Sciences and Geography".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2023) | Viewed by 1686

Special Issue Editors

Department of Materials Science, University of Milano-Bicocca, Via R. Cozzi 55, 20125 Milan, Italy
Interests: development of techniques and instrumentation for EDXRF analysis; radiation effects in insulators and dosimetry techniques; methods and applications of luminescence dating
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Sciences (DiBEST), University of Calabria, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Italy
Interests: non-destructive spectroscopy investigations for materials characterization; radiography imaging and multispectral investigation for studying artistic techniques and conservation state; analyses and monitoring to evaluate degradation phenomena and to assess effectiveness of conservative treatment
Department of Physics, University of Turin, Via Pietro Giuria 1, 10125 Turin, Italy
Interests: ion beam analysis techniques; digital X-ray imaging; provenance study of lapis lazuli
ISPC-CNR, Area Della Ricerca Firenze, Via Madonna Del Piano 10, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
Interests: development and application of non-invasive techniques to identify and characterize painting materials and their state of conservation (UV-VIS-NIR spectroscopy, XRF, TR-FTIR); characterization of pigments and binding media in polychrome art works by means of micro-invasive spectroscopic techniques and analysis of painting polished cross-sections (FT-IR, SEM-EDS, XRD, OM, PLM); application of imaging techniques (UVf, IR, IRfc, VIL) to localize materials and study the painting technique; study of ancient residual polychromy on marble art facts; analysis of provenancing for ancient marble By non –invasive techniques; environmental monitoring
Dr. Celestino Grifa
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Guest Editor
Department of Science and Technology, University of Sannio di Benevento, Via De Sanctis snc, 82100 Benevento, Italy
Interests: applied petrography to cultural heritage and archaeological science; archaeological and traditional ceramics; stone materials of the historical building / historical building stones; petrography and petrology of igneous rocks / igneous petrology
Institute for Chemical-Physical Processes, National Research Council of Italy (IPCF-CNR), V.le F. Stagno d’Alcontres 37, 98158 Messina, Italy
Interests: vibrational spectroscopy; archaeometry; neutron studies; instrument development
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The archaeometric study of the frescoes by the painter Saturnino Gatti (1463-1518) in the apse of the Church of San Panfilo in Villagrande di Tornimparte (L'Aquila) is the subject of the II National Research Project conducted by members of the Italian Association of Archaeometry (AIAr). The research activities were carried out as part of a scientific agreement of the AIAr, signed in 2020  by the Abruzzo Regional Secretariat of the Ministry for Culture and Superintendence of Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscape for the provinces of L'Aquila and Teramo. Several in situ non-destructive investigations and laboratory analyses on micro-fragments sampled from the different levels of pictorial cycle were carried out thanks to the co-working of 21 Research Groups with more than 60 AIAr researchers involved in the different stages of scientific studies of pictorial materials and of the environmental conditions in which the frescoes are now preserved. The present Special Issue represents an important opportunity to illustrate for the first time the results of the pre-restoration diagnostic study. The macro-objectives followed by the working groups coordinated by the Governing Council AIAr members were:

  • To document the state of conservation of the architectural building and the painted surfaces;
  • To analyse microclimate and inertia level of the church with respect to outdoor conditions;
  • To understand the degradation phenomena of the pictorial surfaces and the mural structures;
  • To identify and map non-original materials overlapped to pictorial surfaces during previous restoration works;
  • To characterize the original materials of the frescoes and “a secco” mural paintings;
  • To identify the artistic technique and typical features of Saturnino Gatti and the others painters who worked at the frescoes in San Panfilo.

Dr. Anna Galli
Dr. Mauro Francesco La Russa
Dr. Maria Francesca Alberghina
Dr. Alessandro Re
Dr. Donata Magrini
Dr. Celestino Grifa
Dr. Rosina Celeste Ponterio
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • frescoes
  • microclimate analysis
  • photogrammetric 3D restitution
  • non-invasive analyses
  • minero-petrographic characterization

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

Article
Multi-Technique Characterization of Painting Drawings of the Pictorial Cycle at the San Panfilo Church in Tornimparte (AQ)
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(11), 6492; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13116492 - 26 May 2023
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Abstract
We present some results, obtained using a multi-scale approach, based on the employment of different and complementary techniques, i.e., Optical Microscopy (OM), Scanning Electron Microscopy-Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman and µ-Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy equipped with [...] Read more.
We present some results, obtained using a multi-scale approach, based on the employment of different and complementary techniques, i.e., Optical Microscopy (OM), Scanning Electron Microscopy-Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman and µ-Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy equipped with Attenuated Total Reflectance (ATR) analyses, Inductively Coupled Plasma–Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), and Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometry (TIMS), of an integrated activity focused on the characterization of micro-fragments of original and previously restored paintings of the pictorial cycle at the San Panfilo Church in Tornimparte, sampled from specific areas of interest. The study was aimed, on one hand, at the identification of the overlapping restoration materials used during previous conservation interventions (documented and not), and, on the other hand, at understanding the degradation phenomena (current or previous) of the painted surfaces and the architectural structures. The study of stratigraphy allowed us to evaluate the number of layers and the materials (pigments, minerals, and varnishes) present in each layer. As the main result, the identification of blue, black, yellow, and red pigments (both ancient and modern) was achieved. In the case of blue pigments, original (azurite and lazurite) and retouching (Prussian blue and phthalo blue) materials were recognized, together with alteration products (malachite and atacamite). Traces of yellow ochre were found in the yellow areas, and carbon black in the blue and brown areas. In the latter, hematite and red ochre pigments were also recognized. The obtained results are crucial to support the methodological choices during the restoration intervention of the site, and help to ensure the compatibility principles of the materials on which a correct conservative approach is based. Full article
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Article
3D Photogrammetric Survey, Raking Light Photography and Mapping of Degradation Phenomena of the Early Renaissance Wall Paintings by Saturnino Gatti—Case Study of the St. Panfilo Church in Tornimparte (L’Aquila, Italy)
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(9), 5689; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13095689 - 05 May 2023
Viewed by 853
Abstract
This paper provides the results of a 3D photogrammetric survey of the apsidal conch of St. Panfilo Church in Tornimparte (L’Aquila, Italy). The images were acquired and then processed in order to obtain a three-dimensional model available on Sketchfab platform. The five panels [...] Read more.
This paper provides the results of a 3D photogrammetric survey of the apsidal conch of St. Panfilo Church in Tornimparte (L’Aquila, Italy). The images were acquired and then processed in order to obtain a three-dimensional model available on Sketchfab platform. The five panels and the vault of the apsidal conch were exported from the 3D model as orthomosaics and then imported into CAD software for the mapping of the main degradation phenomena. The examined surface was almost entirely covered by mural painting and restoring mortars, the latter mainly located in the lower part of the apsidal conch. The whole surface of the apsidal conch was also examined by means of raking light that enabled highlighting of conservation problems and the presence of incision marks and giornata/pontate boundaries indicating the use of the fresco painting technique. Several degradation phenomena, attributable both to the executive technique of wall painting and the microclimate conditions, could be observed. According to the overlapping of weathering forms and the material involved, most of the examined surfaces exhibited moderate to very severe degradation. Full article
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