Imaging study of Raffaello’s “La Muta” by a portable XRF spectrometer

Year: 2016

Authors: Ruberto C., Mazzinghi A., Massi M., Castelli L., Czelusniak C., Palla L., Gelli N., Betuzzi M., Impallaria A., Brancaccio R., Peccenini E., Raffaelli M.

Autors Affiliation: Ist Nazl Fis Nucl, Sez Firenze, Via G Sansone 1, I-50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Fi, Italy; Univ Florence, Dept Chem, Via Lastruccia 1, I-50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Fi, Italy; Univ Florence, Dept Phys & Astron, Via Sansone 1, I-50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Fi, Italy; Ist Nazl Fis Nucl, Sez Pisa, Largo B Pontecorvo 3, I-56127 Pisa, Italy; Univ Pisa, Largo B Pontecorvo 3, I-56127 Pisa, Italy; Univ Bologna, Dept Phys & Astron, Viale Berti Pichat 6-2, I-40127 Bologna, Italy; Ist Nazl Fis Nucl, Sez Bologna, Viale Berti Pichat 6-2, I-40127 Bologna, Italy; Ctr Studi & Ric Enrico Fermi, Piazza Viminale 1, I-00184 Rome, Italy; Univ Ferrara, Phys, Via Saragat 1, I-44122 Ferrara, Italy; Univ Ferrara, Dept Earth Sci, Via Saragat 1, I-44122 Ferrara, Italy; CNR INO Natl Inst Opt, Largo E Fermi 6, I-50125 Florence, Italy.

Abstract: In studies of Cultural Heritage, there is a growing demand for methods of material investigation. X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) analyses have proven to be essential tools in these material studies. The XRF scanning spectrometer, developed at the LABEC laboratory in Florence, can perform both elemental mapping, on areas up to 20 x 20 cm(2), and single spot analyses.
Thanks to our close and long lasting collaboration with the Opificio delle Pietre Dure in Florence, one of the most prestigious restoration centers in the world, we had the opportunity to use the new XRF spectrometer in analyzing the painting “La Muta” of Raffaello Sanzio, one of the “Old Masters” of the Italian Renaissance. Beyond identification of the painting palette, the XRF study further allowed for structural analysis in cases where single spot XRF measurements would not be adequate. For example, the new system allowed us to deduce Raffaello’s use of bone black pigment and to analyze various instances of “pentimenti” (underlying image in a painting, evidence of revision by the artist). (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Journal/Review: MICROCHEMICAL JOURNAL

Volume: 126      Pages from: 63  to: 69

KeyWords: XRF Imaging analyses; Scanning system; Cultural Heritage; Painting palette; Bone black; Raffaello’s Pentimenti
DOI: 10.1016/j.microc.2015.11.037

Citations: 49
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