Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Colored grounds of gilt stucco surfaces as analyzed by a combined microscopic, spectroscopic and elemental analytical approach

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A survey of gilts applied to stucco surfaces that specifically focuses on the compositions of their colored grounds is reported. Gilt samples of a common geographical (Lombardy in Italy) and temporal provenance (17th–18th century) were studied in the form of polished cross-sections by optical and electron microscopy (SEM-EDS), micro-Raman (μRaman) spectroscopy and Fourier-transform infrared microspectroscopy (μFTIR). Comparing samples with superimposed grounds and gilts enabled light to be shed on the choice of specific materials, their stratigraphic functions, decorative effects, and technological performances. Iron oxide pigments were found in the older grounds, sometimes in the presence of lead white (2PbCO3·Pb(OH)2) or minium (Pb3O4). In more recent grounds, chrome yellow (PbCrO4), chrome orange (PbCrO4·PbO), cinnabar (α-HgS) and barium white (BaSO4), invariably mixed with lead white, were encountered. Evidence for the use of organic mordants (colophony and wax, or siccative oil) was obtained by μFTIR. This combined μFTIR and μRaman spectroscopic and elemental (SEM-EDS) analytical approach enhances knowledge of the composition of gold grounds, their variability and their chronological evolution.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1a–e
Fig. 2a–f
Fig. 3a–f
Fig. 4a–c
Fig. 5a–g
Fig. 6a–f
Fig. 7

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Matteini M, Moles A (1990) Le tecniche di doratura nella pittura murale. In: Matteini M et al. (ed) Le pitture murali: tecniche, problemi, conservazione. Centro DI, Firenze

  2. Cennini C (1971) Il libro dell’arte. Neri Pozza, Vicenza

    Google Scholar 

  3. Elder PT (1988) Storia naturale. Millenni-Einaudi, Torino

    Google Scholar 

  4. Merrifield MP (1967) Medieval and renaissance treatises on the arts of painting. Dover, New York

  5. Tompshon DV (1962) The practice of tempera painting. Dover, New York

  6. Bonaduce I, Colombini MP, Diring S (2006) Identification of garlic in old gildings by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. J Chromatogr A 1107:226–232

    Google Scholar 

  7. Katsibiri O, Boon JJ (2004) Investigation of the gilding technique in two post-Byzantine wall paintings using micro-analytical techniques. Spectrochim Acta B 59:1593–1599

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Katsibiri O, Howe RF (2010) Microscopic, mass spectrometric and spectroscopic characterisation of the mordants used for gilding on wall paintings from three post-Byzantine monasteries in Thessalia, Greece. Microchem J 94:83–89. doi:10.1016/j.microc.2009.09.006

  9. Duran A, Perez-Rodriguez JL, Jimenez de Haro MC et al (2004) Degradation of gold and false golds used as gildings in the cultural heritage of Andalusia, Spain. Spectrochem Acta B 59:1593–1599

    Google Scholar 

  10. Duran A, Perez-Rodriguez JL, Jimenez de Haro MC (2009) Study of the gilding technique used in polychromed stones and ceramics by dedicated laboratory-made micro X-ray diffraction and complementary techniques. Anal Bioanal Chem 394:1671–1677

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Sansonetti A, Zerbi CM, Biondelli D (2008) A comparison of gilding techniques on stuccoes surfaces. In: Proc 11th Int Congr on Deterioration and Conservation of Stone, Toruń, Poland, 15–20 Sept 2008, pp 749–756

  12. Toniolo L, Colombo C, Bruni S et al (1998) Gilded stuccoes of the Italian Baroque. Stud Conserv 43:201–208

    Google Scholar 

  13. Rampazzi L, Rizzo B, Colombo C et al (2008) The stucco decorations from St. Lorenzo in Laino (Como, Italy): the materials and the techniques employed by the Magistri Comacini. Anal Chim Acta 630:91–100

    Google Scholar 

  14. Pinna D, Galeotti M, Mazzeo R (eds)(2009) Gilding and other metal coverings/layers. In: Scientific examination for the investigation of paintings. A handbook for conservators–restorers. Centro DI, Firenze

  15. Fiorin E, Vigato PA (2007) Teodolinda’s tales at Monza Cathedral: a physico-chemical diagnosis of the pictorial cycle. J Cult Heritage 8:13–25

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Ruvalcaba-Sil JL, Demortier G (1997) Scanning RBS-PIXE study of ancient artifacts from South America using a microbeam. Nucl Instrum Meth B 130:297–302

    Google Scholar 

  17. ICR-CNR (1980) Normativa UNI Beni Culturali 3/80 “Campionamento.” ICR-CNR, Rome

  18. Palazzo M (ed)(2006) La sala della cariatidi nel Palazzo Reale di Milano. In: Proceedings of the congress “Il Cantiere di studio” (8th March 2005). Direzione Regionale per i Beni Culturali e Paesaggistici della Lombardia, Milano

  19. Bell IM, Clark RJH, Gibbs PJ (1997) Raman spectroscopic library of natural and synthetic pigments (pre- ∼1850 AD). Spectrochim Acta A 53:2159–2179

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Kühn H, Curran M (1986) Chrome yellow and other chromate pigments. In: Feller RL (ed) Artists’ pigments, vol. 1. Oxford University Press, New York

  21. Derrick M (1989) Fourier transform infrared spectral analysis of natural resins used in furniture finishes. J Am Inst Conserv 28:43–56

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Cotte M, Checroun E, Susini J, Walter P (2007) Micro-analytical study of interactions between oil and lead compounds in paintings. Appl Phys A 89:841–848

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Feller RL (1986) Barium sulfate—natural and synthetic. In: Feller RL (ed) Artists’ pigments, vol. 1. Oxford University Press, New York

  24. Fedrigo MA, Favaro M, Traldi P (2000) Applications of mass spectrometry in cultural heritage: identification of ligands employed for mordant gilding. Rapid Commun Mass Spectrom 14:2203–2209

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge Prof. Alberto Grimoldi, Arch. Stefano Lavazza, Arch. Roberto Spreafico and Dr. Michela Palazzo, who are in charge of the conservation plans of S. Andrea, the Sanctuary of Rho, the Church of San Fedele and the Hall of Caryatides in Milan, respectively. Dr. Martina Izzo is acknowledged for language revision.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Istituto per la Conservazione e Valorizzazione dei Beni Culturali CNR, via Cozzi 53, 20125, Milan, Italy

    A. Sansonetti, J. Striova & D. Biondelli

  2. LENS and Chemistry Department, University of Florence, via Lastruccia 3, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy

    E. M. Castellucci

Authors
  1. A. Sansonetti
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. J. Striova
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. D. Biondelli
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. E. M. Castellucci
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to J. Striova.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Sansonetti, A., Striova, J., Biondelli, D. et al. Colored grounds of gilt stucco surfaces as analyzed by a combined microscopic, spectroscopic and elemental analytical approach. Anal Bioanal Chem 397, 2667–2676 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-010-3491-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-010-3491-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation