Thermographic Investigation of Bronze Artefacts: Characterization of Structure Elements and Casting Faults in Masterpieces of the Bronze Statuary of Rome

Abstract

In this paper, the thermographic results obtained by studying some masterpieces of the bronze statuary of Rome are presented. More specifically, a quantitative approach has been adopted in the investigation of the Capitoline She Wolf, hosted in the Musei Capitolini, and of the Boxer at Rest and the Hellenistic Prince belonging to the collection of the Museo Nazionale Romano. The obtained results provided data useful to characterize the properties of the bronze alloy and several subsurface features of the statue, such as casting faults and patches. In particular, the interface between different kind of patches and the main body of the statue has been investigated in order to determine the way they were applied. Moreover, the thermal diffusivity of the alloy of the Capitoline She Wolf has been evaluated and quantitative investigations have been carried out in order to determine the depth of some features, such as the cavities originating from air bubbles in the casting melt.