Abstract
Twenty frescoes from “The Assumption” Cathedral located in the island town of Sviyazhsk (Tatarstan Republic, Russian Federation)—dated back to the times of Tsar Ivan IV “the Terrible”—were chemically analyzed in situ with a portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) spectrometer. The investigation focused on identifying the pigments and their combinations in the paint recipes. One hundred ninety-three micropoints randomly chosen from the white, yellow, orange, pink, brown, red, grey, black, green, and blue areas were measured for major and minor elements. The compositional types separated within each color indicate different recipes. The statistical processing of the data unveiled the most important oxides (CaO, MgO, Fe2O3, PbO, SO3, Sb2O3, Al2O3, SiO2, and P2O5) and their relationships. The results allowed to infer the mineral composition of the paints, and, hence, the recipes used by the Russian artisans. Slaked lime and slaked dolomitic lime mixed with variable amounts of “antimony white” and “bone white” were used for white, pink, yellow, and orange paints and for preparing a basic batch for all other colors. Mostly yellow ochre, red ochre, and lead minerals, and occasionally blue ochre, green earth, realgar, orpiment, bone black, galena, stibnite, and magnetite were the pigments involved in various amounts in preparing the paints.
Highlights
The old frescoes acquire a greater relevance with each year, due both to their historical and artistical value, and to the complexity of issues related with their restoration and conservation.There are many factors that could affect the integrity and stability of the mural artworks [1], among which are climate, colonization by vegetal or animal organisms, human intervention, etc
The most probable pigments used were inferred based on the main features of each color and the mutual relationships between chemical components
The investigation by portable X-ray fluorescence (XRF) proved to be an appropriate, non-invasive method for analyzing the chemical and mineral composition of the paints used in Russia in the 16th–17th centuries
Summary
The old frescoes acquire a greater relevance with each year, due both to their historical and artistical value, and to the complexity of issues related with their restoration and conservation.There are many factors that could affect the integrity and stability of the mural artworks [1], among which are climate (including seasonal temperature variation and humidity), colonization by vegetal or animal organisms, human intervention, etc. Preventive conservation requires the use of non-destructive and non-invasive techniques [2]. A large spectrum of analytical techniques, e.g., optical microscopy [3], X-ray diffraction [4,5], scanning electron microscopy [6,7,8], Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy [9,10], X-ray fluorescence (XRF) [10,11], Raman spectroscopy [5,12], and mass. Reliable data were obtained by multi-analytical approaches, comprising optical microscopy, XRF, colorimetry, micro-Raman spectrometry, andinfrared. XRF, colorimetry, micro-Raman spectrometry, and Fourier transform transform infrared spectroscopy [2,7,14].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
