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The Importance of Preventive Analysis in Heritage Science: MA-XRF Supporting the Restoration of Madonna with Child by Mantegna

by Anna Mazzinghi, Lisa Castelli, Francesca Giambi, Chiara Ruberto, Leandro Sottili, Francesco Taccetti and Lorenzo Giuntini

Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(13), 7983; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13137983 - 7 Jul 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2505

Abstract

The Madonna with Child by Andrea Mantegna owned by the Museo Poldi Pezzoli in Milan is painted on canvas with an unusual distemper technique. During the period of 1863–1865, the painting was restored by Giuseppe Molteni. The identification of potential retouchings by Molteni, possibly covering part of the original layer, was the object of this work carried at the Opificio delle Pietre Dure. To evaluate the extent of both Molteni’s intervention and Mantegna’s original layer, the MA-XRF spectrometer developed by CHNet-INFN was used to discriminate between the two paint layers and identify the materials and the extension of both “artists”. Indeed, the elemental maps showed that Molteni’s work entirely covered the mantle of the Virgin, even changing the fold of the draperies and enriching the red robe with shell gold highlights, giving a different appearance to the painting. Moreover, MA-XRF also revealed that the original Mantegna was still mostly intact underneath Molteni’s layer, thereby providing a decisive guide for conservation works. These results indeed formed the basis for the technical decision to remove the varnish and Molteni’s version, unveiling the original Mantegna. A second MA-XRF campaign was then carried out to fully characterise the materials of this unusual painting technique. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nuclear Techniques and Material Analysis)

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21 pages, 4454 KB

Open AccessArticle

A Multi-Analytical Approach for the Characterization of Seventeenth Century Decorative Wall Paintings in Two Norwegian Stave Churches: A Case Study at Eidsborg and Heddal, Norway

by Ashley Amanda Freeman, Lavinia de Ferri, Joy Mazurek, Fabrizio Andriulo and Chiara Bertolin

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(8), 3477; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11083477 - 13 Apr 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 4686

Abstract

The presented research examines 17th century distemper paint from the polychrome wooden interiors of two Norwegian stave churches: Eidsborg and Heddal. For the first time, the inorganic and organic components of specimens from Eidsborg and Heddal were identified using X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy (ESEM)—Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier-Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) after derivatization. This multi-analytical approach allowed for the identification of red ochre as the main red pigment within the topcoat (with the possible addition of minium), confirmed that a chalk basecoat was used, and finally permitted the recognition of alteration phases. Markers of proteinaceous material attributed to the use of animal-based glues were detected throughout the stratigraphic layers of both churches, with the addition of linseed oil in some locations. Furthermore, the wood substrate showed markers characteristic of pine tree, with contamination of wood fractions being detected in some of the paint samples from Heddal and Eidsborg. This research has contributed to a better understanding of the current preservation state of Heddal and Eidsborg, and ultimately assisted in developing a deeper comprehension and awareness of materials used in Norwegian stave churches. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Scientific Methods for Cultural Heritage)

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19 pages, 7436 KB

Open AccessArticle

Preservation of Distemper Painting: Indoor Monitoring Tools for Risk Assessment and Decision Making in Kvernes Stave Church

by Tone Marie Olstad, Anne Apalnes Ørnhøi, Nina Kjølsen Jernæs, Lavinia de Ferri, Ashley Freeman and Chiara Bertolin

Climate 2020, 8(2), 33; https://doi.org/10.3390/cli8020033 - 14 Feb 2020

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 5760

Abstract

During the Medieval period, over 1000 stave churches were thought to have been constructed in Norway. However, currently, only 28 of these churches remain and only 19 still have distemper wall paintings. The cultural significance of these structures, and more specifically their elaborate distemper wall paintings, has changed over time, as have the means and methods for preserving these monuments. Deeper knowledge of the current state of these structures, along with environmental monitoring and modeling will open the way to a better understanding of preservation. This paper presents a case study for unheated Norwegian wooden churches based on data collected from Kvernes stave church. There are three aims for this paper: (i) to describe the typical indoor conditions similar to the historic climate of stave churches; (ii) determine the common characteristics of distemper paint found within stave churches; (iii) and develop a risk assessment tool to evaluate the climate-induced risk factors in stave churches. The outcome of this work will contribute to research performed within the Sustainable Management of Heritage Buildings in a Long-term Perspective (SyMBoL) project which aims to develop a better understanding of climate induced risks for stave churches, and ultimately to better manage environmental risk. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue World Heritage and Climate Change: Impacts and Adaptation)

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