This paper reports the preliminary diagnostic survey of the six controversial mural paintings pai... more This paper reports the preliminary diagnostic survey of the six controversial mural paintings painted in 1946–49 at the Maritime Station of Rocha do Conde de Óbidos in Lisbon, considered the artistic epitome of Almada Negreiros mural painting art. Four research questions drove this research: a) What are the main decay phenomena present and their sources? b) Which are the paint layers most affected, and are they linked to a particular pigment? c) Is there any relation between the painting technique used and the deterioration or stability of the paint layers and pigments? And finally, d) Are there differences in the decay phenomena present in both maritime stations of Alcântara? The analytical setup comprised in-situ and laboratory analysis by way of technical photography documentation (TP), handled optical microscopy (h-OM), handheld X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF), complemented by optical microscopy of microfragments and cross sections (OM-Vis-UV), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), and Scanning Ele...
"This paper reports an updated overview of a comparative study on the medium-term effects of... more "This paper reports an updated overview of a comparative study on the medium-term effects of treatment with three consolidants—laboratory-prepared nanolime, commercial nanolime, and commercial acrylic resin—on fresco paint layers replicas affected by lack of cohesion. This is a follow-up to our preliminary data published in 2021. In 2020, paint layers replicas of frescos were prepared in vitro by buon and lime fresco painting techniques with blue smalt and yellow ochre pigments. The samples were treated with the three consolidants and aged at ambient conditions. In 2023, the authors repeated the analysis to assess and compare the three-year effect of the laboratory-prepared nanolime on the paint layers with regard to the commercial nanolime and acrylic resin. The analytical setup comprised photography, scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, and colorimetry or spectrophotometry. Monitored parameters were the impact of the treatments on the paint layer morphology and on the colour. After three years, the presence of all products is still detected on the paint surface, where they maintain their effects on the paint layer morphology. Aesthetical changes that occurred immediately after the treatment have maintained a relatively constant value over the course of time. "
The ancient parish church of Santo Aleixo is located about eight kilometers northwest of Montemor... more The ancient parish church of Santo Aleixo is located about eight kilometers northwest of Montemor-o-Novo, in Herdade do Raimundo, Portugal. It is a sixteenth-century building with simple structure, which has one of the most beautiful Renaissance Portuguese wall paintings. The remaining murals of this monument in ruin cover the altar of the church and part of the north side wall (Fig. 1a). It has been abandoned for several years and presently is in an advanced state of disrepair, which allowed the collection of fragments of mortar, essential for this study. The aim of this work was the establishment of methodologies for material characterisation of the paintings and biodegradation assessment, including the analysis of microbial growth and the effect of microbial proliferation
The preservation of Cultural Heritage is undoubtedly important for the society, and Conservation ... more The preservation of Cultural Heritage is undoubtedly important for the society, and Conservation Science must dedicate itself to attempts to minimize the inherent processes of degradation to which cultural assets are susceptible. In this context, the evaluation of the chemical aspects of the composition of the objects and their relation with the environment where they are located are essential for the understanding of the decay signs observed, supporting the establishment of effective conservation strategies. These characteristics are demonstrated here by vibrational spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and microbiological analysis of efflorescences observed in two types of paintings: a tempera on canvas painting ("Barco com bandeirinhas e pássaros", Alfredo Volpi, 1955) and an oil mural painting of the Throne Room of the National Palace of Mafra (18th-19th century, Mafra, Portugal). The challenges involved in the investigation of the efflorescences are demonstrated ...
This paper unveils for the first time the technical and material features of the mural painting e... more This paper unveils for the first time the technical and material features of the mural painting entitled Pentecost’s, executed by the Portuguese artist Julio Resende in 1955. The painting depicting twelve Apostles covers the altarpiece of a small church in the countryside of Évora (southern Portugal) and it was rediscovered in 2013 by art historians. The research was carried out with both non-invasive and micro-destructive techniques. In situ examination included technical photography in visible (Vis/Vis-RAK) and in infrared (NIR) light range, ultraviolet induced visible fluorescence (UVF), portable optical microscopy, visible spectrophotometry and handheld energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (hXRF). Further analysis on paint layers micro-samples were undertaken by dark field optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (SEM-EDS) and micro-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (μ-FTIR). According to the acqui...
A cycle of 18 th century mural paintings was revealed in 2012 during maintenance works in the Cru... more A cycle of 18 th century mural paintings was revealed in 2012 during maintenance works in the Crucifix Chapel of the Mother Church in Aci Sant'Antonio. The paintings have survived along the corners of the originally square chapel that was altered in the early 20 th century, acquiring the current octagonal-shaped construction. All of the murals except the scenes on the corners have been destroyed and irremediably lost. The murals are in need of immediate conservation treatment and thanks to international academic collaborations promoted by CHSOS diagnostic documentation and conservation assessment have been performed in order to inform the planning and elaboration of the conservation project. Crucifix Chapel. Split panorama of the chapel after the renovation. Painting technique None of the 7 fragments analyzed showed a true a fresco techniques but different a secco methods. Tempera painting The analysis on samples 3.2, 3.3 and 3.4 suggests that the mortar was partially or already...
A review of the lime painting technique is made based on five Treatises and Construction Technica... more A review of the lime painting technique is made based on five Treatises and Construction Technical Manuals that were published in Portugal between 1880 and 1930 and were or became a reference in technical and professional education. The goal is to document the history of one of the most popular types of painting in Portuguese Building Heritage until about 1960, whose testimonies still remaining in historic centers should be studied for the purposes of registration and rehabilitation works. This survey enabled to ascertain details of the executants, of the materials and the know-how which are still little known today and to highlight the paradigm shift from what was once considered a type of coarse painting that only gave rudimentary and monotonous tones.
International Journal of Conservation Science, 2020
This paper unveils for the first time the technical and material features of the mural painting e... more This paper unveils for the first time the technical and material features of the mural painting entitled Pentecost's, executed by the Portuguese artist Julio Resende in 1955. The painting depicting twelve Apostles covers the altarpiece of a small church in the countryside of Évora (southern Portugal) and it was rediscovered in 2013 by art historians. The research was carried out with both non-invasive and micro-destructive techniques. In situ examination included technical photography in visible (Vis/Vis-RAK) and in infrared (NIR) light range, ultraviolet induced visible fluorescence (UVF), portable optical microscopy, visible spectrophotometry and handheld energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (hXRF). Further analysis on paint layers micro-samples were undertaken by dark field optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (SEM-EDS) and micro-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (µ-FTIR). According to the a...
This paper reports the first analytical approach carried out on two working palettes by Portugues... more This paper reports the first analytical approach carried out on two working palettes by Portuguese modernist master Almada Negreiros, found in 1991 behind old wood cabinets at the DN building in Lisbon. This is the only known occasion Almada left behind the color experiments done before starting to paint in the nearby walls and as such, it is a unique opportunity to analyze the materials and painting techniques that were originally used. The analytical setup comprised in loco technical photography in Vis, UVF and NIR; p-OM, spectrophotometry in Vis and h-EDXRF, complemented by OM-Vis, µ-FT-IR and VP-SEM-EDS of painting micro-samples and pigments in powder form. Preliminary results suggested the use of fresco painting technique and revealed some technical details, such as the use of a coarse lime sand finishing mortar mixed with natural vegetable fibers, and the extensive use of cadmium-based pigments that were not commonly used (or even recommended) in an alkaline environment. The C...
This paper reports the diagnostic research of deteriorated paint layers from three mural panels m... more This paper reports the diagnostic research of deteriorated paint layers from three mural panels made by Almada Negreiros found in the Alcântara Maritime Station in Lisbon. The aim was to understand the main decay phenomena to aid future conservation works. The methodology comprised in-situ analyses by technical photography in Vis, Vis-RaK and UVF, p-OM and h-EDXRF; micro sampling; OM, SEM-EDS, μ-XRD, μ-Raman, µ-FT-IR and Py-GC/MS. Preliminary results show that all the paint layers analyzed are affected by salts (alkali sulphates) that over time have caused flacking, lack of cohesion, erosion, and lacunae. The light greenish/greenish bluish paint layers in all three panels are the most affected. No organic binders were identified, only the presence of vinyl polymer in glossy paint surfaces.
This paper reports the preliminary results of a comparative analysis of the effects of three cons... more This paper reports the preliminary results of a comparative analysis of the effects of three consolidants on the color appearance of fresco paint layers affected by lack of cohesion. In vitro assays were performed with a laboratory-synthesized nanolime, a commercial nanolime (CaLoSiL® IP25), and a commercial acrylic resin (PrimalTM SF-016 ER®) applied by nebulization over two sets of replicas of buon and lime fresco painted with red and yellow ochres and smalt pigments. The paint layers were surveyed before, one week, and one month after treatment with technical photography in the visible range (Vis) and ultraviolet-induced fluorescence in the visible range (UVF), as well as optical microscopy (OM-Vis), colorimetry, spectrophotometry, and scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). Experimental work also comprised the synthesis of nanolime and its characterization by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-tr...
... Pigment characterization and state of conservation ... shown that a variety of pigments were ... more ... Pigment characterization and state of conservation ... shown that a variety of pigments were used, namely earth pigments (red and yellow ochres, green earth and probably black earth and umber ... It is generally accepted that iron oxides are the phases responsible for ochre color. ...
This paper reports the preliminary diagnostic survey of the six controversial mural paintings pai... more This paper reports the preliminary diagnostic survey of the six controversial mural paintings painted in 1946–49 at the Maritime Station of Rocha do Conde de Óbidos in Lisbon, considered the artistic epitome of Almada Negreiros mural painting art. Four research questions drove this research: a) What are the main decay phenomena present and their sources? b) Which are the paint layers most affected, and are they linked to a particular pigment? c) Is there any relation between the painting technique used and the deterioration or stability of the paint layers and pigments? And finally, d) Are there differences in the decay phenomena present in both maritime stations of Alcântara? The analytical setup comprised in-situ and laboratory analysis by way of technical photography documentation (TP), handled optical microscopy (h-OM), handheld X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF), complemented by optical microscopy of microfragments and cross sections (OM-Vis-UV), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), and Scanning Ele...
"This paper reports an updated overview of a comparative study on the medium-term effects of... more "This paper reports an updated overview of a comparative study on the medium-term effects of treatment with three consolidants—laboratory-prepared nanolime, commercial nanolime, and commercial acrylic resin—on fresco paint layers replicas affected by lack of cohesion. This is a follow-up to our preliminary data published in 2021. In 2020, paint layers replicas of frescos were prepared in vitro by buon and lime fresco painting techniques with blue smalt and yellow ochre pigments. The samples were treated with the three consolidants and aged at ambient conditions. In 2023, the authors repeated the analysis to assess and compare the three-year effect of the laboratory-prepared nanolime on the paint layers with regard to the commercial nanolime and acrylic resin. The analytical setup comprised photography, scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, and colorimetry or spectrophotometry. Monitored parameters were the impact of the treatments on the paint layer morphology and on the colour. After three years, the presence of all products is still detected on the paint surface, where they maintain their effects on the paint layer morphology. Aesthetical changes that occurred immediately after the treatment have maintained a relatively constant value over the course of time. "
The ancient parish church of Santo Aleixo is located about eight kilometers northwest of Montemor... more The ancient parish church of Santo Aleixo is located about eight kilometers northwest of Montemor-o-Novo, in Herdade do Raimundo, Portugal. It is a sixteenth-century building with simple structure, which has one of the most beautiful Renaissance Portuguese wall paintings. The remaining murals of this monument in ruin cover the altar of the church and part of the north side wall (Fig. 1a). It has been abandoned for several years and presently is in an advanced state of disrepair, which allowed the collection of fragments of mortar, essential for this study. The aim of this work was the establishment of methodologies for material characterisation of the paintings and biodegradation assessment, including the analysis of microbial growth and the effect of microbial proliferation
The preservation of Cultural Heritage is undoubtedly important for the society, and Conservation ... more The preservation of Cultural Heritage is undoubtedly important for the society, and Conservation Science must dedicate itself to attempts to minimize the inherent processes of degradation to which cultural assets are susceptible. In this context, the evaluation of the chemical aspects of the composition of the objects and their relation with the environment where they are located are essential for the understanding of the decay signs observed, supporting the establishment of effective conservation strategies. These characteristics are demonstrated here by vibrational spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and microbiological analysis of efflorescences observed in two types of paintings: a tempera on canvas painting ("Barco com bandeirinhas e pássaros", Alfredo Volpi, 1955) and an oil mural painting of the Throne Room of the National Palace of Mafra (18th-19th century, Mafra, Portugal). The challenges involved in the investigation of the efflorescences are demonstrated ...
This paper unveils for the first time the technical and material features of the mural painting e... more This paper unveils for the first time the technical and material features of the mural painting entitled Pentecost’s, executed by the Portuguese artist Julio Resende in 1955. The painting depicting twelve Apostles covers the altarpiece of a small church in the countryside of Évora (southern Portugal) and it was rediscovered in 2013 by art historians. The research was carried out with both non-invasive and micro-destructive techniques. In situ examination included technical photography in visible (Vis/Vis-RAK) and in infrared (NIR) light range, ultraviolet induced visible fluorescence (UVF), portable optical microscopy, visible spectrophotometry and handheld energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (hXRF). Further analysis on paint layers micro-samples were undertaken by dark field optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (SEM-EDS) and micro-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (μ-FTIR). According to the acqui...
A cycle of 18 th century mural paintings was revealed in 2012 during maintenance works in the Cru... more A cycle of 18 th century mural paintings was revealed in 2012 during maintenance works in the Crucifix Chapel of the Mother Church in Aci Sant'Antonio. The paintings have survived along the corners of the originally square chapel that was altered in the early 20 th century, acquiring the current octagonal-shaped construction. All of the murals except the scenes on the corners have been destroyed and irremediably lost. The murals are in need of immediate conservation treatment and thanks to international academic collaborations promoted by CHSOS diagnostic documentation and conservation assessment have been performed in order to inform the planning and elaboration of the conservation project. Crucifix Chapel. Split panorama of the chapel after the renovation. Painting technique None of the 7 fragments analyzed showed a true a fresco techniques but different a secco methods. Tempera painting The analysis on samples 3.2, 3.3 and 3.4 suggests that the mortar was partially or already...
A review of the lime painting technique is made based on five Treatises and Construction Technica... more A review of the lime painting technique is made based on five Treatises and Construction Technical Manuals that were published in Portugal between 1880 and 1930 and were or became a reference in technical and professional education. The goal is to document the history of one of the most popular types of painting in Portuguese Building Heritage until about 1960, whose testimonies still remaining in historic centers should be studied for the purposes of registration and rehabilitation works. This survey enabled to ascertain details of the executants, of the materials and the know-how which are still little known today and to highlight the paradigm shift from what was once considered a type of coarse painting that only gave rudimentary and monotonous tones.
International Journal of Conservation Science, 2020
This paper unveils for the first time the technical and material features of the mural painting e... more This paper unveils for the first time the technical and material features of the mural painting entitled Pentecost's, executed by the Portuguese artist Julio Resende in 1955. The painting depicting twelve Apostles covers the altarpiece of a small church in the countryside of Évora (southern Portugal) and it was rediscovered in 2013 by art historians. The research was carried out with both non-invasive and micro-destructive techniques. In situ examination included technical photography in visible (Vis/Vis-RAK) and in infrared (NIR) light range, ultraviolet induced visible fluorescence (UVF), portable optical microscopy, visible spectrophotometry and handheld energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (hXRF). Further analysis on paint layers micro-samples were undertaken by dark field optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (SEM-EDS) and micro-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (µ-FTIR). According to the a...
This paper reports the first analytical approach carried out on two working palettes by Portugues... more This paper reports the first analytical approach carried out on two working palettes by Portuguese modernist master Almada Negreiros, found in 1991 behind old wood cabinets at the DN building in Lisbon. This is the only known occasion Almada left behind the color experiments done before starting to paint in the nearby walls and as such, it is a unique opportunity to analyze the materials and painting techniques that were originally used. The analytical setup comprised in loco technical photography in Vis, UVF and NIR; p-OM, spectrophotometry in Vis and h-EDXRF, complemented by OM-Vis, µ-FT-IR and VP-SEM-EDS of painting micro-samples and pigments in powder form. Preliminary results suggested the use of fresco painting technique and revealed some technical details, such as the use of a coarse lime sand finishing mortar mixed with natural vegetable fibers, and the extensive use of cadmium-based pigments that were not commonly used (or even recommended) in an alkaline environment. The C...
This paper reports the diagnostic research of deteriorated paint layers from three mural panels m... more This paper reports the diagnostic research of deteriorated paint layers from three mural panels made by Almada Negreiros found in the Alcântara Maritime Station in Lisbon. The aim was to understand the main decay phenomena to aid future conservation works. The methodology comprised in-situ analyses by technical photography in Vis, Vis-RaK and UVF, p-OM and h-EDXRF; micro sampling; OM, SEM-EDS, μ-XRD, μ-Raman, µ-FT-IR and Py-GC/MS. Preliminary results show that all the paint layers analyzed are affected by salts (alkali sulphates) that over time have caused flacking, lack of cohesion, erosion, and lacunae. The light greenish/greenish bluish paint layers in all three panels are the most affected. No organic binders were identified, only the presence of vinyl polymer in glossy paint surfaces.
This paper reports the preliminary results of a comparative analysis of the effects of three cons... more This paper reports the preliminary results of a comparative analysis of the effects of three consolidants on the color appearance of fresco paint layers affected by lack of cohesion. In vitro assays were performed with a laboratory-synthesized nanolime, a commercial nanolime (CaLoSiL® IP25), and a commercial acrylic resin (PrimalTM SF-016 ER®) applied by nebulization over two sets of replicas of buon and lime fresco painted with red and yellow ochres and smalt pigments. The paint layers were surveyed before, one week, and one month after treatment with technical photography in the visible range (Vis) and ultraviolet-induced fluorescence in the visible range (UVF), as well as optical microscopy (OM-Vis), colorimetry, spectrophotometry, and scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). Experimental work also comprised the synthesis of nanolime and its characterization by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-tr...
... Pigment characterization and state of conservation ... shown that a variety of pigments were ... more ... Pigment characterization and state of conservation ... shown that a variety of pigments were used, namely earth pigments (red and yellow ochres, green earth and probably black earth and umber ... It is generally accepted that iron oxides are the phases responsible for ochre color. ...
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