title: Surface and volume non-invasive methods for the structural monitoring of the bass-relief 'Madonna con Bambino' (Gorizia, Northern Italy).
abstract: Structural analysis of marble statues, carried out by non-invasive and in situ methods, is crucial to define the state of conservation of the artworks and to identify the deterioration phenomena that can affect them. In this work, we combined in situ non-destructive techniques, ultrasonic tomography (US), ultraviolet-induced visible fluorescence (UV-IF) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) to study the bass-relief 'Madonna con Bambino' (Gorizia, Italy). The US revealed the presence of some metallic pivots, associated with areas of high sound velocity; moreover, a more degraded area has been identified in the lower part of the bass-relief. The acquired UV-IF image confirmed the presence of surface degradation, allowing a preliminary evaluation of the extension of a fracture, from surface to bulk. In addition, the different materials (both original and/or integrations) that compose the studied surface have been identified. The XRF has contributed to define the nature of the inorganic materials applied during undocumented previous restoration works on the surface as filler for lacunae.
authors.affiliation: a S.T.Art-Test di S. Schiavone & C , Niscemi (CL) , Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Francesca
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Alberghina
authors.affiliation: b YOuth in COnservayion of CUltural Heritage - YOCOCU , Rome , Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Macchia
authors.affiliation: c DipartimentoDiSTeM , University of Palermo , Palermo , Italy.
authors.forename: Patrizia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Capizzi
authors.affiliation: a S.T.Art-Test di S. Schiavone & C , Niscemi (CL) , Italy.
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schiavone
authors.affiliation: d Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science - DiBEST , University of Calabria , Rende (CS) , Italy.
authors.forename: Silvestro Antonio
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Ruffolo
authors.affiliation: d Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science - DiBEST , University of Calabria , Rende (CS) , Italy.
authors.forename: Valeria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Comite
authors.affiliation: b YOuth in COnservayion of CUltural Heritage - YOCOCU , Rome , Italy.
authors.forename: Marianna
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Barberio
authors.affiliation: d Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science - DiBEST , University of Calabria , Rende (CS) , Italy.
authors.forename: Mauro Francesco
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: La Russa
mesh_terms: D001154:Art; D002119:Calcium Carbonate; D005453:Fluorescence; D007558:Italy; D008722:Methods; D012613:Sculpture; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D002119:Calcium Carbonate
keywords: Non-invasive methods; UV-IF; deterioration phenomena; marble; ultrasonic tomography