Characterization of Waxes in the Roman Wall Paintings of the Herculaneum Site (Italy)
A multi-analytical approach is proposed for the detection and quantitative characterization of waxes in wall paintings from the Vesuvian area, in particular in the House of the Skeleton, the House of the Deer and the House of the two Atriums in Herculaneum (Italy). Different types of waxes, of anima...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-11-01
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| Series: | Applied Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/12/21/11264 |
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| author | Laura Bergamonti Martina Cirlini Claudia Graiff Pier Paolo Lottici Gerardo Palla Antonella Casoli |
| author_facet | Laura Bergamonti Martina Cirlini Claudia Graiff Pier Paolo Lottici Gerardo Palla Antonella Casoli |
| author_sort | Laura Bergamonti |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | A multi-analytical approach is proposed for the detection and quantitative characterization of waxes in wall paintings from the Vesuvian area, in particular in the House of the Skeleton, the House of the Deer and the House of the two Atriums in Herculaneum (Italy). Different types of waxes, of animal, vegetable, mineral and artificial origin, were investigated, as reference materials, by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The obtained results were compared with those found on samples from the wall paintings of Herculaneum. By non-destructive techniques, Raman and FTIR spectroscopies, waxes were generally found in the wall painting fragments investigated. A more quantitative characterization by GC/MS analysis, performed on three representative samples on the three houses, allowed highlighting the features of beeswax. In addition to beeswax, candelilla wax and an artificial wax, compatible with the formulated candelilla wax, were also detected. The presence of candelilla, a vegetable wax introduced in Europe after the sixteenth century, suggests maintenance works probably carried out with the aim of preserving the original colors of the paintings. In addition, by Raman and FTIR spectroscopies hematite and Egyptian blue pigments were identified. Calcite, aragonite and gypsum were also detected. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T19:16:49Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-1bc61179cc234e75bb9212d97cc89a76 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-3417 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T19:16:49Z |
| publishDate | 2022-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Applied Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-1bc61179cc234e75bb9212d97cc89a762023-11-24T03:40:46ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172022-11-0112211126410.3390/app122111264Characterization of Waxes in the Roman Wall Paintings of the Herculaneum Site (Italy)Laura Bergamonti0Martina Cirlini1Claudia Graiff2Pier Paolo Lottici3Gerardo Palla4Antonella Casoli5Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 17/A, 43124 Parma, ItalyDepartment of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27A, 43124 Parma, ItalyDepartment of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 17/A, 43124 Parma, ItalyDepartment of Mathematical, Physical and Computer Sciences, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 7/A, 43124 Parma, ItalyDepartment of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27A, 43124 Parma, ItalyDepartment of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 17/A, 43124 Parma, ItalyA multi-analytical approach is proposed for the detection and quantitative characterization of waxes in wall paintings from the Vesuvian area, in particular in the House of the Skeleton, the House of the Deer and the House of the two Atriums in Herculaneum (Italy). Different types of waxes, of animal, vegetable, mineral and artificial origin, were investigated, as reference materials, by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The obtained results were compared with those found on samples from the wall paintings of Herculaneum. By non-destructive techniques, Raman and FTIR spectroscopies, waxes were generally found in the wall painting fragments investigated. A more quantitative characterization by GC/MS analysis, performed on three representative samples on the three houses, allowed highlighting the features of beeswax. In addition to beeswax, candelilla wax and an artificial wax, compatible with the formulated candelilla wax, were also detected. The presence of candelilla, a vegetable wax introduced in Europe after the sixteenth century, suggests maintenance works probably carried out with the aim of preserving the original colors of the paintings. In addition, by Raman and FTIR spectroscopies hematite and Egyptian blue pigments were identified. Calcite, aragonite and gypsum were also detected.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/12/21/11264waxeswall paintingsHerculaneumVesuvian areaGC/MSFTIR spectroscopy |
| spellingShingle | Laura Bergamonti Martina Cirlini Claudia Graiff Pier Paolo Lottici Gerardo Palla Antonella Casoli Characterization of Waxes in the Roman Wall Paintings of the Herculaneum Site (Italy) Applied Sciences waxes wall paintings Herculaneum Vesuvian area GC/MS FTIR spectroscopy |
| title | Characterization of Waxes in the Roman Wall Paintings of the Herculaneum Site (Italy) |
| title_full | Characterization of Waxes in the Roman Wall Paintings of the Herculaneum Site (Italy) |
| title_fullStr | Characterization of Waxes in the Roman Wall Paintings of the Herculaneum Site (Italy) |
| title_full_unstemmed | Characterization of Waxes in the Roman Wall Paintings of the Herculaneum Site (Italy) |
| title_short | Characterization of Waxes in the Roman Wall Paintings of the Herculaneum Site (Italy) |
| title_sort | characterization of waxes in the roman wall paintings of the herculaneum site italy |
| topic | waxes wall paintings Herculaneum Vesuvian area GC/MS FTIR spectroscopy |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/12/21/11264 |
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