Abstract
In recent decades, many works have been devoted to the study of materials and painting techniques used to produce illuminated manuscripts. If the analyses were once largely invasive, the approach has become increasingly more in situ and non-invasive over the years. This work presents the results of the analysis of the Portuguese Charter of Évora, an illuminated manuscript that dates back to 1501, combining an elemental mapping technique (MA-XRF) with the non-invasive imaging techniques of infrared reflectography and digital microscopy. Remarkably, this approach allowed us to obtain unexpected results regarding the chronology of production of the illumination of the view of the City of Évora and of the Charter of Évora itself, posing new questions for art history on the political, social and artistic context of the early 16th century City of Évora.
Highlights
Illuminated manuscripts are among the best testimonies of art, culture, politics and religion between the Mediaeval and Renaissance periods
To infer the consistency of the materials used to produce the caption of the illumination, macro X-ray fluorescence (MA-XRF) and 3D digital microscopy analyses were performed in a selected region of interest considering the differences observed from the IR reflectography results
MA-XRF led to the identification of (a) a change in the red-writing paint’s composition of the title; and (b) the procedures followed to cover up the first layout approach
Summary
Illuminated manuscripts are among the best testimonies of art, culture, politics and religion between the Mediaeval and Renaissance periods. Manuel I (1469–1521) as a response of the king who, for decades, had demanded an update of the texts relating to administrative procedures, the economy, taxes, the inhabitants’ relationship with the central power and with the landlords Within this reform, about 580–600 charters were produced, among which is the Charter of Évora [1,2]. Despite the authorship of the texts being the responsibility of the authorities of the Kingdom, it was up to the local authorities to financially support the production of the Charters and their illuminations In this sense, to study the materials and painting techniques of these illuminated Charters is to highlight the cultural, political and financial capability of each Portuguese village and city at the time of their production
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 callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
