THE SAN VITO WOODEN PULPIT FROM MUSEO DIOCESANO OF PALERMO, ITALY: MULTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACH AND ANALYTICAL TECHNIQUES FOR DATING AND RESTORATION

Abstract

The aim of the present research is to investigate the constitutive materials and the execution techniques of San Vito wooden pulpit from Museo Diocesano of Palermo (Italy) and to provide helpful information to dating it in addition to technical, historical and artistic evaluations. The pulpit, attributed to unknown artist, belongs to the decorative arts and the most relevant feature is its double dating, in addition to the singular painting technique: it has a linear structure typical of XIXth century and three polychrome and gilded panels probably dated to the end of XVIIth century. This paper describes the application of analytical techniques (imaging diagnostics techniques, Scanning Electron Microscopy coupled with X-ray Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy) to better understand and characterize the pulpit, both support and decoration, useful to plan and perform the correct restoration. They revealed a proteinaceous pittoric layer for the linear structure, without a preparation. The panels are entirely covered by gold leaf applied on a preparation composed by a first white layer with gypsum and animal glue and a second one with bole. The traditional pigments, red and green lacquers using oil as binding medium are applied on gold leaf by thin and transparent brushstrokes.