Roman polychrome sarcophagi and Computer Graphics by Corrado Gratziu
In this paper, we report a multidisciplinary approach for the analytic study and the reconstructi... more In this paper, we report a multidisciplinary approach for the analytic study and the reconstruction of the ancient colour used for Roman sarcophagi. For this purpose, we adopted the three-dimensional (3D) digital technology and found it to be a valuable tool for the identification, documentation and reconstruction of the ancient colour. This technology proved to be an excellent link between archaeological knowledge and scientific analyses. Therefore, 3D digital technologies would effectively facilitate the exchange of information and collaboration between experts in various disciplines. This is extremely important in order to obtain demonstrable results in a new area of study, such as polychrome Roman sarcophagi (and the ancient polychromy and gilding on the marble). In this study, the digital 3D model of Ulpia Domnina's sarcophagus (National Roman Museum in Rome, inv. no. 125891) has been used to identify both the pigments and the techniques of application used, and to explore the potential of emerging technologies in the reconstruction and visualization of the ancient colour. The aim of this work is to show the results of a practical application of 3D digital technology as a linking bridge between archaeological and scientific data, in order to provide a better knowledge of the original polychromy via the production of virtual reconstructions. This use of computer-based technologies with consolidated scientific analyses could succeed in obtaining a common work platform for a better knowledge of ancient colour (and gilding), and the dissemination of the results.
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Papers by Corrado Gratziu
Vengono descritti i m\.'CCanismi (ten· sioni teuonicne residue, variazioni diurne ed annue di... more Vengono descritti i m\.'CCanismi (ten· sioni teuonicne residue, variazioni diurne ed annue di temperatura, presenza di sali moho solubili in acqua) capaci di dare origine alla dt>gradazione a marmo COttO (perdita di coe5ione fra i granuli di olcite che C'O$lituiscono un marmo). Vrngono messe in ~icknza le' strette analogie di aspettO fra marmi colli in naturll e nei monumenti. Si descrive il formarsi, sui marmi coHi, di Urul crosta indurita e franurata a «guscio di tartaruga. che si intetprela come dovuta a ricriuallizzazione di calcite sulla supcrfice esterna di marmi sottoposti a condizioni variabili di umidità relativa dell'ambiente. ABSTR~CT. -A morble wnich nave losl one's conesion owinll IO tne detacning of calcite crystals one from anolner is labeied «marmo COI\O. (fire<! marble). 1òe malmo cono is frC'quently founel in nature (OUlcrop of marble bodia) as .....ell lU on marble rnonumenls. lbe marmo COltO degradation can be dUf: IO: residual l«ton...
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Analytical Chemistry
Red Pompeian paintings, very famous for their deep intensity, are currently suffering from darken... more Red Pompeian paintings, very famous for their deep intensity, are currently suffering from darkening. The origins of this darkening degradation are not clearly identified yet and remain a major issue for curators. In the specific case of cinnabar (HgS)-based red pigment, a photoinduced conversion into black metacinnabar is usually suspected. This work is focused on the blackening of red cinnabar paintings coated on a sparry calcite mortar. Different samples exhibiting different levels of degradation were selected upon visual observations and analyzed by synchrotron-based microanalytical techniques. Atomic and molecular compositions of the different debased regions revealed two possible degradation mechanisms. On one hand, micro X-ray fluorescence elemental maps show peculiar distributions of chlorine and sulfur. On the other hand, X-ray absorption spectroscopy performed at both Cl and S K-edges confirms the presence of characteristic degradation products: (i) Hg-Cl compounds (e.g., ...
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Analytical Chemistry, 2006
Red Pompeian paintings, very famous for their deep intensity, are currently suffering from darken... more Red Pompeian paintings, very famous for their deep intensity, are currently suffering from darkening. The origins of this darkening degradation are not clearly identified yet and remain a major issue for curators. In the specific case of cinnabar (HgS)-based red pigment, a photoinduced conversion into black metacinnabar is usually suspected. This work is focused on the blackening of red cinnabar paintings coated on a sparry calcite mortar. Different samples exhibiting different levels of degradation were selected upon visual observations and analyzed by synchrotron-based microanalytical techniques. Atomic and molecular compositions of the different debased regions revealed two possible degradation mechanisms. On one hand, micro X-ray fluorescence elemental maps show peculiar distributions of chlorine and sulfur. On the other hand, X-ray absorption spectroscopy performed at both Cl and S K-edges confirms the presence of characteristic degradation products: (i) Hg-Cl compounds (e.g., corderoite, calomel, and terlinguaite), which may result from the reaction with exogenous NaCl, in gray areas; (ii) gypsum, produced by the calcite sulfation, in black coatings. Metacinnabar is never detected. Finally, a cross section was analyzed to map the in-depth alteration gradient. Reduced and oxidized sulfur distributions reveal that the sulfated black coating consists of a approximately 5-mum-thick layer covering intact cinnabar.
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Roman polychrome sarcophagi and Computer Graphics by Corrado Gratziu
Papers by Corrado Gratziu