Application of micro-Raman spectroscopy to the study of an illuminated medieval manuscript

We analysed, using micro-Raman spectroscopy, two decorations of a medieval manuscript containing the 'Canzoniere' and the 'Trionfi' of Francesco Petrarca; namely a drawing attributed to Botticelli and the illumination of the Incipit of the 'Trionfi'. All measurements were carried out at two excitation wavelengths (l632.8; l514.5 nm). The spectra of the drawing showed the presence of lazurite, Na8(Al6Si6O24)Sn, the coloured matter of lapis-lazuli, and of lead dioxide, coming from the oxidation of lead white or biacca, 2 PbCO3·Pb(OH)2. The illumination on a nearby page is a flower decoration, surely drawn by a different artist, in which we recognized the presence of cinnabar, HgS, lead tin yellow (type I), PbSnO4 and azurite, 2 CuCO3·Cu(OH)2, a blue pigment cheaper than lazurite. © 2000 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS