New Insight into Hellenistic and Roman Cypriot Wall Paintings: An Exploration of Artists’ Materials, Production Technology, and Technical Style

Roxanne Radpour,Christian Fischer,Ioanna Kakoulli

doi:10.3390/arts8020074

Roxanne Radpour, Christian Fischer + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/arts8020074

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Abstract

A recent scientific investigation on Hellenistic and Roman wall paintings of funerary and domestic contexts from Nea (‘New’) Paphos, located in the southwest region of Cyprus, has revealed new information on the paintings’ constituent materials, their production technology and technical style of painting. Nea Paphos, founded in the late 4th century BC, became the capital of the island during the Hellenistic period (294–58 BC) and developed into a thriving economic center that continued through the Roman period (58 BC–330 AD). A systematic, analytical study of ancient Cypriot wall paintings, excavated from the wealthy residences of Nea Paphos and the surrounding necropoleis, combining complementary non-invasive, field-deployable characterization techniques, has expanded the scope of analysis, interpretation and access of these paintings. The results from in situ analyses, combining X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and fiber-optic reflectance spectroscopy (FORS), forensic imaging in reflectance and luminescence, and digital photomicrography, were informative on the raw materials selection, application technique(s) and extent of paintings beyond the visible. Data collected through the integration of these techniques were able to: (1) show an intricate and rich palette of pigments consisting of local and foreign natural minerals and synthetic coloring compounds applied pure or in mixtures, in single or multiple layers; (2) identify and map the spatial distribution of Egyptian blue across the surface of the paintings, revealing the extent of imagery and reconstructing iconography that was no longer visible to the naked eye; and (3) visualize and validate the presence of Egyptian blue to delineate facial contours and flesh tone shading. This innovation and technical characteristic in the manner of painting facial outlines and constructing chiaroscuro provides a new insight into the artistic practices, inferring artists/or workshops’ organization in Cyprus during the Roman period.

Highlights

IntroductionTomb of the Kings funerary complex and tombs in modern day Paphos city center (Figure 1), have been systematically analyzed using a protocol of combined field-deployable imaging and spectroscopic techniques
Hellenistic and Roman Cypriot wall paintings, which decorate residences, public spaces and tombs in the areas of ancient Nea Paphos (“New” Paphos), the eastern and western necropoleis, theTomb of the Kings funerary complex and tombs in modern day Paphos city center (Figure 1), have been systematically analyzed using a protocol of combined field-deployable imaging and spectroscopic techniques
This study presents the first systematic non-invasive scientific survey on the polychromy of Hellenistic and Roman Cypriot monumental wall paintings, with the objective of: (1) identifying, mapping and interpreting the extent of polychromy and iconography through the characterization and imaging of the spatial distribution of pigments; and (2) exploring the function and use of pigments in the making of the wall paintings, obtaining new insight into the artistic expression and technical skills of the artists from the 4th century BC to the 4th century AD

Summary

Introduction

Tomb of the Kings funerary complex and tombs in modern day Paphos city center (Figure 1), have been systematically analyzed using a protocol of combined field-deployable imaging and spectroscopic techniques. Paphos to serve as the administrative and economic center for the island during the Hellenistic and. Following the death of Alexander the Great, the Ptolemies, who ruled ancient Egypt at the time, took control over Cyprus (Guimier-Sorbets and Michaelides 2003) and established Paphos as the new capital of the island. Nea Paphos continued to be a strong economic center when the Ptolemies lost control in 58 BC and Cyprus was annexed to the Roman empire, under which it remained until the 4th century AD.

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