Analysis of post-Byzantine icons from the Church of the Assumption in Cephalonia, Ionian Islands, Greece: a multi-method approach.
A multi-method approach has been developed for the characterisation of the proteinaceous binding media, drying oils and pigments present in samples from the panel paintings of the Church of the Assumption in Cephalonia (Ionian Islands, Greece). The analytical protocol involved the use of scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM/EDX), Raman spectroscopy and gas chromatography. The identification of the pigments was achieved by SEM/EDX and Raman spectroscopy. The latter technique was also used for the detection of the binding media, while their characterisation was achieved by gas chromatographic analysis of ethyl chloroformate derivatives. The aim of this multi-method protocol was to obtain as much information as possible from the panel paintings of the Church of the Assumption, through non-destructive methods, before proceeding to gas chromatography. Little scientific information is available for the understanding of the construction technique and the materials used by the post-Byzantine artists and whatever is available comes mainly from artists' manuals. One of the aims of this paper is to provide a scientific background to the technology of the Ionian post-Byzantine icons.
Kouloumpi
Eleni
E
National Gallery-Alexandros Soutzos Museum, Conservation Department, Physicochemical Laboratory, 1 Michalacopoulou Street, 116 01 Athens, Greece. elenikouloumpi@nationalgallery.gr
Vandenabeele
Peter
P
Lawson
Graham
G
Pavlidis
Vassilios
V
Moens
Luc
L
D018612:Byzantium; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D004396:Coloring Agents / Q000032:analysis; D004577:Electron Probe Microanalysis; D006115:Greece; D049669:History, 16th Century; D049670:History, 17th Century; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D009821:Oils / Q000032:analysis; D010151:Paintings; D011485:Protein Binding; D011506:Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D013059:Spectrum Analysis, Raman
D004396:Coloring Agents; D009821:Oils; D011506:Proteins