Multi-Scale X-ray Imaging of the Pigment Discoloration Processes Triggered by Chlorine Compounds in the Upper Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi
In this paper, the chromatic alteration of various types of paints, present on mural painting fragments derived from the vaults of The Upper Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi in Italy (12th–13th century), is studied using synchrotron radiation. Six painted mural fragments, several square centimete...
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MDPI AG
2023-08-01
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| Series: | Molecules |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/28/16/6106 |
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| author | Ermanno Avranovich Clerici Steven de Meyer Frederik Vanmeert Stijn Legrand Letizia Monico Costanza Miliani Koen Janssens |
| author_facet | Ermanno Avranovich Clerici Steven de Meyer Frederik Vanmeert Stijn Legrand Letizia Monico Costanza Miliani Koen Janssens |
| author_sort | Ermanno Avranovich Clerici |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In this paper, the chromatic alteration of various types of paints, present on mural painting fragments derived from the vaults of The Upper Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi in Italy (12th–13th century), is studied using synchrotron radiation. Six painted mural fragments, several square centimeters in size, were available for analysis, originating from the ceiling paintings attributed to Cimabue and Giotto; they correspond to originally white, blue/green, and brown/yellow/orange areas showing discoloration. As well as collecting macroscopic X-ray fluorescence and diffraction maps from the entire fragments in the laboratory and at the SOLEIL synchrotron, corresponding paint cross-sections were also analyzed using microscopic X-ray fluorescence and powder diffraction mapping at the PETRA-III synchrotron. Numerous secondary products were observed on the painted surfaces, such as (a) copper tri-hydroxychloride in green/blue areas; (b) corderoite and calomel in vermillion red/cinnabar-rich paints; (c) plattnerite and/or scrutinyite assumed to be oxidation products of (hydro)cerussite (2PbCO<sub>3</sub>·Pb(OH)<sub>2</sub>) in the white areas, and (d) the calcium oxalates whewellite and weddellite. An extensive presence of chlorinated metal salts points to the central role of chlorine-containing compounds during the degradation of the 800-year-old paint, leading to, among other things, the formation of the rare mineral cumengeite (21PbCl<sub>2</sub>·20Cu(OH)<sub>2</sub>·6H<sub>2</sub>O). |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T23:41:38Z |
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| id | doaj.art-96507d6b22fb4d3383614ef7902d26cc |
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| issn | 1420-3049 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T23:41:38Z |
| publishDate | 2023-08-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Molecules |
| spelling | doaj.art-96507d6b22fb4d3383614ef7902d26cc2023-11-19T02:25:01ZengMDPI AGMolecules1420-30492023-08-012816610610.3390/molecules28166106Multi-Scale X-ray Imaging of the Pigment Discoloration Processes Triggered by Chlorine Compounds in the Upper Basilica of Saint Francis of AssisiErmanno Avranovich Clerici0Steven de Meyer1Frederik Vanmeert2Stijn Legrand3Letizia Monico4Costanza Miliani5Koen Janssens6Antwerp X-ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Laboratory (AXIS) Research Group, NANOLab Centre of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, BelgiumAntwerp X-ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Laboratory (AXIS) Research Group, NANOLab Centre of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, BelgiumAntwerp X-ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Laboratory (AXIS) Research Group, NANOLab Centre of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, BelgiumAntwerp X-ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Laboratory (AXIS) Research Group, NANOLab Centre of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, BelgiumAntwerp X-ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Laboratory (AXIS) Research Group, NANOLab Centre of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, BelgiumCNR-ISPC, Institute of Cultural Heritage Sciences, Via Card. G. Sanfelice 8, 80134 Naples, ItalyAntwerp X-ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Laboratory (AXIS) Research Group, NANOLab Centre of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, BelgiumIn this paper, the chromatic alteration of various types of paints, present on mural painting fragments derived from the vaults of The Upper Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi in Italy (12th–13th century), is studied using synchrotron radiation. Six painted mural fragments, several square centimeters in size, were available for analysis, originating from the ceiling paintings attributed to Cimabue and Giotto; they correspond to originally white, blue/green, and brown/yellow/orange areas showing discoloration. As well as collecting macroscopic X-ray fluorescence and diffraction maps from the entire fragments in the laboratory and at the SOLEIL synchrotron, corresponding paint cross-sections were also analyzed using microscopic X-ray fluorescence and powder diffraction mapping at the PETRA-III synchrotron. Numerous secondary products were observed on the painted surfaces, such as (a) copper tri-hydroxychloride in green/blue areas; (b) corderoite and calomel in vermillion red/cinnabar-rich paints; (c) plattnerite and/or scrutinyite assumed to be oxidation products of (hydro)cerussite (2PbCO<sub>3</sub>·Pb(OH)<sub>2</sub>) in the white areas, and (d) the calcium oxalates whewellite and weddellite. An extensive presence of chlorinated metal salts points to the central role of chlorine-containing compounds during the degradation of the 800-year-old paint, leading to, among other things, the formation of the rare mineral cumengeite (21PbCl<sub>2</sub>·20Cu(OH)<sub>2</sub>·6H<sub>2</sub>O).https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/28/16/6106X-raysdiscolorationAssisiGiottoimagingsynchrotron |
| spellingShingle | Ermanno Avranovich Clerici Steven de Meyer Frederik Vanmeert Stijn Legrand Letizia Monico Costanza Miliani Koen Janssens Multi-Scale X-ray Imaging of the Pigment Discoloration Processes Triggered by Chlorine Compounds in the Upper Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi Molecules X-rays discoloration Assisi Giotto imaging synchrotron |
| title | Multi-Scale X-ray Imaging of the Pigment Discoloration Processes Triggered by Chlorine Compounds in the Upper Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi |
| title_full | Multi-Scale X-ray Imaging of the Pigment Discoloration Processes Triggered by Chlorine Compounds in the Upper Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi |
| title_fullStr | Multi-Scale X-ray Imaging of the Pigment Discoloration Processes Triggered by Chlorine Compounds in the Upper Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi |
| title_full_unstemmed | Multi-Scale X-ray Imaging of the Pigment Discoloration Processes Triggered by Chlorine Compounds in the Upper Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi |
| title_short | Multi-Scale X-ray Imaging of the Pigment Discoloration Processes Triggered by Chlorine Compounds in the Upper Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi |
| title_sort | multi scale x ray imaging of the pigment discoloration processes triggered by chlorine compounds in the upper basilica of saint francis of assisi |
| topic | X-rays discoloration Assisi Giotto imaging synchrotron |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/28/16/6106 |
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