Characterization of a pair of Goan paintings from the 16th-17th centuries

Abstract

This work addresses the technical and material characterization of a pair of Goan paintings from the end of the 16th century, early 17th century with the aim to understand the influence of European, and specifically Portuguese painting materials and techniques in Goan painting. The painting materials and techniques were studied and compared to other coeval Goan and Portuguese paintings since Goa belonged at the epoch to Portuguese India. The analytical techniques used were Infrared reflectography (IRR), optical microscopy (OM), Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence spectroscopy (EDXRF), micro-Raman spectroscopy (μ-Raman), scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), micro-X-ray Diffraction (μ-XRD) and micro-Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (μ-FTIR). This multianalytical approach and comparison between paintings technique and materials allowed to define the studied paintings as a Goan style of production in line to European mannerism style.