title: Raman spectroscopic study of "The Malatesta": a Renaissance painting?
abstract: Raman spectroscopic analysis of the pigments on an Italian painting described as a "Full Length Portrait of a Gentleman", known also as the "Malatesta", and attributed to the Renaissance period has established that these are consistent with the historical research provenance undertaken earlier. Evidence is found for the early 19th Century addition of chrome yellow to highlighted yellow ochre areas in comparison with a similar painting executed in 1801 by Sir Thomas Lawrence of John Kemble in the role of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark. The Raman data are novel in that no analytical studies have previously been made on this painting and reinforces the procedure whereby scientific analyses are accompanied by parallel historical research.
authors.affiliation: Chemical and Forensic Sciences, School of Life Sciences, University of Bradford, Bradford, West Yorkshire BD7 1DP, UK. Electronic address: h.g.m.edwards@bradford.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Howell G M
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Edwards
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Archaeometry, Department of Archaeology, Faculty of Arts and Philosophy, University of Ghent, Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat 35, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vandenabeele
authors.affiliation: The de Brecy Trust, de Brecy House, Lower Withington, Macclesfield, Cheshire SK11 9DF, UK.
authors.forename: Timothy J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Benoy
mesh_terms: D004396:Coloring Agents / Q000032:analysis* / Q000266:history; D003718:Denmark; D049668:History, 15th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049691:History, Medieval; D010150:Paint / Q000032:analysis* / Q000266:history; D010151:Paintings / Q000266:history*; D013059:Spectrum Analysis, Raman / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D004396:Coloring Agents
keywords: Archaeometry; Art analysis; Chrome yellow addition; Malatesta; Pigments; Renaissance painting