Non-invasive and Micro-invasive Techniques for the Analysis of Historical Murals

A special issue of Heritage (ISSN 2571-9408).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 January 2025 | Viewed by 3106

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Optoelectronic Methods and Techniques for Artwork Restoration and Conservation, National Institute of Research and Development for Optoelectronics-INOE 2000, 077125 Magurele, Romania
Interests: heritage science; polychrome works of art; characterization and identification of painting materials using non- and micro-invasive spectroscopic techniques; elemental and molecular spectroscopy; spectral databases; data integration; data fusion; open science
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Historical murals are essential artifacts of our cultural heritage, offering profound insights into the artistic, social, and historical contexts of past eras. Preserving these intricate works of art requires innovative and meticulous approaches that respect their integrity while providing comprehensive analysis. Today, analytical capabilities allow us to go beyond the chemical and structural characterization of the painting materials that may be present in wall paintings, enabling professionals to carry out research at an unprecedented scale and detail.

This Special Issue of the journal Heritage focuses on the latest advancements in non-invasive and micro-invasive techniques for studying historical murals. We seek to collect a diverse set of papers focused on the use of state-of-the-art analytical methods, including portable non- and micro-invasive analytical techniques, as well as on the use of innovative methodologies, for the investigation of a diverse set of wall paintings coming from various spaces and cultures. Contributions may include, but are not limited to, the following topics:

  • Spectroscopic and other analytical methods: Research on the application of X-ray fluorescence, Raman spectroscopy, FTIR spectroscopy, FORS (Fiber Optics Reflectance Spectroscopy), and other non- or micro-invasive analytical techniques to identify pigments, binders, and degradation products.
  • Non-invasive imaging techniques: Studies utilizing advanced imaging technologies such as multispectral and hyperspectral imaging, macro X-ray fluorescence (MA-XRF), and optical coherence tomography (OCT) to uncover hidden layers, original compositions, and previous restorations.
  • Digital reconstruction and preservation: Approaches to digital restoration, including photogrammetry and augmented reality, which aid in the visualization of original painting surfaces and hypothetical reconstructions of deteriorated murals.
  • Case studies: Detailed reports on the application of non- and micro-invasive techniques in the analysis and conservation of specific historical murals from various cultural and geographical contexts.
  • Interdisciplinary collaborations: Insights into how collaborations between conservators, scientists, and art historians enhance the understanding and preservation of murals through the integration of diverse expertise and techniques.

We encourage the submission of original research articles, comprehensive reviews, and significant case studies that reflect the latest advancements and practical applications in this crucial field. We look forward to receiving your contributions and we are confident that your manuscripts will offer valuable insights into the analysis and preservation of historical murals.

Best regards,

Dr. Ioana Maria Cortea
Guest Editor

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Heritage is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • historical murals
  • ancient and medieval wall paintings
  • frescoes
  • painting materials and techniques
  • mineral pigments
  • organic colorants
  • organic binders
  • stratigraphic characterization
  • surface characterization
  • chemical imaging and mapping
  • non- and micro-invasive analytical techniques
  • non-invasive imaging techniques
  • on-site characterization
  • digital reconstruction and preservation
  • interdisciplinary studies
  • state-of-the-art analytical methods
  • innovative methodologies

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

27 pages, 27600 KiB  
Article
New Insights into the Materials and Painting Techniques of Ancient Wall Paintings from the Roman Province of Dacia: A Minimally Invasive Multi-Method Approach
by Ioana Maria Cortea, Luminița Ghervase, Lucian Ratoiu, Ovidiu Țentea and Monica Dinu
Heritage 2024, 7(9), 5268-5294; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage7090248 - 21 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1508
Abstract
A group of wall painting fragments discovered at Ulpia Traiana Sarmizegetusa, an important Roman archeological site located in the former Roman province of Dacia (Romania), have been investigated with the aim of defining the material composition of their pictorial layers and exploring the [...] Read more.
A group of wall painting fragments discovered at Ulpia Traiana Sarmizegetusa, an important Roman archeological site located in the former Roman province of Dacia (Romania), have been investigated with the aim of defining the material composition of their pictorial layers and exploring the pictorial technology used. In order to preserve the integrity of the murals and minimize sampling, an array of non- and micro-invasive techniques has been employed, including X-ray fluorescence, laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and hyperspectral imaging. In accordance with previous studies, the identified color palette was mainly based on iron-rich earth pigments (red and yellow ochres, green earth) and carbon-based blacks (soot/charcoal, bone black). Egyptian blue, lazurite, some lead-based pigments, and potentially indigo were also identified (in complex mixtures) on the uppermost paint layers, typically applied a secco over the a fresco background. The presence of expensive pigments and the existence of a red preparatory drawing, documented for the first time in the region, indicate that the original wall paintings had elaborate schemes and, secondly, reflect the patron’s wealth and social status. Hyperspectral imaging was able to retrieve some faded paint layers in certain cases, helping to recover lost decorative details, an indicator of a more complex polychromy compared to what we see today. The obtained results add important contributions to the limited corpus of data regarding the technical know-how of decorative polychrome painting on plaster found in Roman archeological sites in Romania. Full article
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