Non-Invasive Characterisation of the Wall Paintings in the Byzantine Church of Palazzo Simi (Bari, Italy) and Digital Photogrammetric Survey for a Pigment Mapping
Source abstract
Abstract
The paper illustrates the results of a non-invasive characterisation of pigments and their mixtures in the pictorial surfaces of the wall paintings (10th century) found in the Byzantine church of Palazzo Simi in Bari (Italy). The investigation techniques included portable digital polarised microscopy, fibre optic reflectance spectroscopy (FORS) and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF). Data comparison supported the recognition of red and yellow ochres, green earth, vine black, minium and Egyptian blue. The presence of some pigment mixtures demonstrated the recurrence of specific technical expedient used by local medieval artists in order to simulate more expensive pigments, which enabled contribution to the understanding of the valuable artistic tradition of the Apulian Middle Age. Both for purposes of conservation and fruition of the site, which is not always accessible, and due to the complexity in taking suitable photographs for the representation of results, the latter was performed on orthophotos extracted from a digital photogrammetric 3D model of the whole archaeological site. By means of chromatic overlapped layers, an interactive compositional map of the pictorial surfaces was produced.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline
Research context
OpenAlex topics: Cultural Heritage Materials Analysis · Conservation Techniques and Studies · Building materials and conservation
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
Earth and Geoenvironmental Science Department, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70125 Bari, Italy
ITC-CNR, 20098 Milano, Italy
Funding
Italian Ministry of University and Research (Italy)
References (69)
Show source-provided references
1. D’Amico, C. (2005). La Tomba dei Festoni di via Crispi a Taranto: Individuazione e Riconoscimento dei Pigmenti Utilizzati Nelle Pitture, Pàtron Editore.
2. Bertelli, G., and Lepore, G. (2011). Masseria Seppannibale Grande in Agro di Fasano (BR), Adda Editore.
3. Capitanio, D., Laviano, R., Menga, A., Meo-Evoli, N., Vona, F., and Vurro, F. (2005). Sulle Pitture Murali, Arcadia Ricerche.
4. The Archaeological Site of St. Maria Veterana (Triggiano, Southern Italy): Archaeometric Study of the Wall Paintings for the Historical Reconstruction
5. A Combined Analytical Approach Applied to Medieval Wall Paintings from Puglia (Italy): The Study of Painting Techniques and Its Conservation State: Study of Painting Techniques and Its Conservation State10.1002/jrs.4813 ↗
6. Fioretti, G. (2021). Le Pitture Della Cripta Del Gonfalone a Tricase (Lecce): Problematiche Storico-Artistiche e Contributo Alla Identificazione Dei Pigmenti Attraverso FRX Portatile, Edizioni Fondazione Pasquale Battista.
7. The Study of the Mural Painting in the 12th Century Monastery of Santa Maria Delle Cerrate (Puglia-Italy): Characterization of Materials and Techniques Used: Study of Painting at the Santa Maria Delle Cerrate Church10.1002/jrs.4298 ↗
8. Archaeometric Study of Wall Rock Paintings from the Sant’Angelo in Criptis Cave, Santeramo in Colle, Bari: Insights on the Rupestrian Decorative Art in Apulia (Southern Italy)10.1007/s12520-021-01415-z ↗
9. Investigations of Byzantine Wall Paintings in the Abbey of Santa Maria Di Cerrate (Italy) in View of Their Restoration10.1016/j.saa.2020.118557 ↗
10. Fresco and lime-paint: An experimental study and objective criteria for distinguishing between these painting techniques10.1111/j.1475-4754.2011.00647.x ↗
11. Multi-Analytical Investigations on a Tomb Mural Painting of the Yuan Dynasty in Chongqing, China10.1016/j.vibspec.2022.103475 ↗
12. Analytical Study of Roman and Arabic Wall Paintings in the Patio De Banderas of Reales Alcazares’ Palace Using Non-Destructive XRD/XRF and Complementary Techniques10.1016/j.jas.2011.04.021 ↗
13. An Innovative Combination of Non-Invasive UV–Visible-FORS, XRD and XRF Techniques to Study Roman Wall Paintings from Seville, Spain10.1016/j.culher.2016.07.002 ↗
14. Non-Invasive Mapping Methods for Pigments Analysis of Roman Mural Paintings10.1016/j.culher.2019.12.002 ↗
15. Nondestructive Analysis of Wall Paintings at Ostia Antica10.3390/heritage4040244 ↗
16. PLS-DA and Data Fusion of Visible Reflectance, XRF and FTIR Spectroscopy in the Classification of Mixed Historical Pigments10.1016/j.saa.2021.120384 ↗
17. Free Xrf Spectroscopy Database of Pigments Checker
18. Identification of Pigments on Byzantine Wall Paintings from Crete (14th Century AD) Using Non-Invasive Fiber Optics Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy (FORS)10.1016/j.jas.2013.09.020 ↗
19. FORS Spectral Database of Historical Pigments in Different Binders
20. Pigments and Mixtures Identification by Visible Reflectance Spectroscopy10.1016/j.proche.2013.03.007 ↗
21. Use of Imaging Spectroscopy, Fiber Optic Reflectance Spectroscopy, and X-Ray Fluorescence to Map and Identify Pigments in Illuminated Manuscripts10.1179/2047058412Y.0000000078 ↗
22. Fiber Optic Reflection Spectroscopy–Near-Infrared Characterization Study of Dry Pigments for Pictorial Retouching10.1177/0003702820957641 ↗
23. Martellucci, S., Chester, A.N., and Mignani, A.G. (2002). Optical Sensors and Microsystems, Kluwer Academic Publishers.
24. Creation and Reference Characterization of Edo Period Japanese Woodblock Printing Ink Colorant Samples Using Multimodal Imaging and Reflectance Spectroscopy10.1186/s40494-019-0330-6 ↗
25. Deep inside the Color: How Optical Microscopy Contributes to the Elemental Characterization of a Painting10.1016/j.microc.2020.104730 ↗
26. Non-Invasive Mineral Analysis of Pigments of Wall Paintings in the Sungseonjeon Hall10.1007/s12303-022-0027-9 ↗
27. A Non-Invasive and Sustainable Characterization of Pigments in Wall Paintings: A Library of Apulian Colors10.3390/heritage6020084 ↗
28. Recent Trends in Cultural Heritage 3D Survey: The Photogrammetric Computer Vision Approach10.1016/j.culher.2017.11.006 ↗
29. Multi-Image Photogrammetry as a Practical Tool for Cultural Heritage Survey and Community Engagement10.1016/j.jas.2014.01.010 ↗
30. Architectural Heritage Semantic 3D Documentation in Multi-Scale Standard Maps10.1016/j.culher.2018.02.009 ↗
31. Drap, P., Merad, D., Boi, J.-M., Seinturier, J., Peloso, D., Reidinger, C., Vannini, G., Nucciotti, M., and Pruno, E. (2012, January 2–5). Photogrammetry for Medieval Archaeology: A Way to Represent and Analyse Stratigraphy. Proceedings of the 2012 18th International Conference on Virtual Systems and Multimedia, Milan, Italy.10.1109/VSMM.2012.6365920 ↗
32. Mapping Chimu’s Settlements for Conservation Purposes Using UAV and Close Range Photogrammetry. The Virtual Reconstruction of Palacio Tschudi, Chan Chan, Peru
33. Photogrammetric Studies of Inaccessible Sites in Archaeology: Case Study of Burial Chambers in Qubbet El-Hawa (Aswan, Egypt)10.1016/j.jas.2018.12.008 ↗
34. The Mensiochronology Analysis Supported by New Advanced Survey Techniques: Field Tests in Milanese Area10.5194/isprs-archives-XLII-2-W11-359-2019 ↗
35. Underwater Photogrammetric Monitoring Techniques for Mid-Depth Shipwrecks10.1016/j.culher.2017.12.007 ↗
36. Understanding Underwater Photogrammetry for Maritime Archaeology through Immersive Virtual Reality10.5194/isprs-archives-XLII-2-W10-85-2019 ↗
37. The Application of Different 3D-Scan-Systems and Photogrammetry at an Excavation—A Neolithic Dolmen from Switzerland
38. A New Aerial Photogrammetric Survey Method for Recording Inaccessible Rock Art
39. A High-Precision Photogrammetric Recording System for Small Artifacts10.1016/j.culher.2017.10.011 ↗
40. Contributions of the Digital Photogrammetry and 3D Modelling of Roman Inscriptions to the Reading of Damaged Tituli: An Example from the Hispania Tarraconensis (Castiliscar, Saragossa)
41. Salagean-Mohora, I., Anghel, A.A., and Frigura-Iliasa, F.M. (2023). Photogrammetry as a Digital Tool for Joining Heritage Documentation in Architectural Education and Professional Practice. Buildings, 13.10.3390/buildings13020319 ↗
42. Built-Heritage Multi-Temporal Monitoring through Photogrammetry and 2D/3D Change Detection Algorithms10.1080/00393630.2018.1554934 ↗
43. Methodology for Diagnosing Crack Patterns in Masonry Structures Using Photogrammetry and Distinct Element Modeling10.1016/j.engstruct.2018.12.036 ↗
44. Advanced Damage Detection Techniques in Historical Buildings Using Digital Photogrammetry and 3D Surface Anlysis10.1016/j.culher.2018.09.014 ↗
45. Strategy for Integrated Surveying Techniques Finalized to Interpretive Models in a Byzantine Church, Mesopotam, Albania10.1080/15583058.2012.756077 ↗
46. Cultural Heritage Documentation and Conservation: Three-Dimensional (3D) Laser Scanning and Geographical Information System (GIS) Techniques for Thematic Mapping of Facade Stonework of St. Nicholas Church (Pisa, Italy)10.1080/15583058.2014.924605 ↗
47. Photogrammetric Survey and 3D Model as Experimental Tool for Mapping of Polychrome Marbles in Artworks: The Case of Two Baroque Altars in Bari (Italy)10.1080/13556207.2019.1611162 ↗
48. Study and Conservation of the St. Nicola’s Basilica Mosaics (Bari, Italy) by Photogrammetric Survey: Mapping of Polychrome Marbles, Decorative Patterns and Past Restorations10.1080/00393630.2019.1614270 ↗
49. Digital Photogrammetry as Tool for Mensiochronological Analysis: The Case of St. Maria Veterana Archaeological Site (Triggiano, Italy)
50. Depalo, M.R., and Radina, F. (2008). Bari, Sotto la Città. Luoghi Della Memoria, Mario Adda Editore.
51. Depalo, M.R., and Radina, F. (2008). Bari, Sotto la città. Luoghi Della Memoria, Mario Adda Editore.
52. Andreassi, G., and Radina, F. (1988). Archeologia di una Città. Bari Dalle Origine al X Secolo, Edipuglia.
53. Depalo, M.R., and Radina, F. (2008). Bari, Sotto la Città. Luoghi Della Memoria, Mario Adda Editore.
54. Menges, F. (2023, May 23). Spectragryph-Optical Spectroscopy Software. Available online: http://www.effemm2.de/spectragryph/.
55. Meyers, R.A. (2009). Encyclopedia of Analytical Chemistry, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
56. Portable X-Ray Fluorescence (p-XRF) Uncertainty Estimation for Glazed Ceramic Analysis: Case of Iznik Tiles10.3390/heritage3040072 ↗
57. The Colour of Ochres Explained by Their Composition10.1016/j.mseb.2005.09.061 ↗
58. Pigments—Iron-Based Red, Yellow, and Brown Ochres10.1007/s12520-021-01482-2 ↗
59. Assessment of the Production of Antiquity Pigments through Experimental Treatment of Ochres and Other Iron Based Precursors
60. Mobile Hyperspectral Imaging for the Non-Invasive Study of a Mural Painting in the Belves Castle (France, 15th C)
61. Spectroscopic, Morphological and Chemical Characterization of Historic Pigments Based on Carbon. Paths for the Identification of an Artistic Pigment10.1016/j.microc.2011.11.005 ↗
62. Hofmann, C. (2020). The Vienna Genesis, Böhlau Verlag.10.7767/9783205210580 ↗
63. Radpour, R., Fischer, C., and Kakoulli, I. (2019). New Insight into Hellenistic and Roman Cypriot Wall Paintings: An Exploration of Artists’ Materials, Production Technology, and Technical Style. Arts, 8.10.3390/arts8020074 ↗
64. Clay and Iron Oxide Pigments in the History of Painting10.1016/S0169-1317(03)00076-0 ↗
65. Byzantine Wall Paintings from Mani (Greece): Microanalytical Investigation of Pigments and Plasters10.1007/s00216-009-2967-6 ↗
66. Execution Technique and Pigment Characteristics of Byzantine Wall Paintings of Anaia Church in Western Anatolia
67. From Byzantine to Post-Byzantine Art: The Painting Technique of St Stephen’s Wall Paintings at Meteora, Greece10.1016/j.jas.2008.03.017 ↗
68. Pigments—Copper-Based Greens and Blues10.1007/s12520-021-01406-0 ↗
69. Pigment-Binder Interactions in Calcium-Based Tempera Paints10.1016/j.dyepig.2017.09.013 ↗