MICROSCOPIC TECHNIQUES AND A MULTI-ANALYTICAL APPROACH TO CHARACTERIZE THE MATERIALS OF TWO RUSSIAN ICONS

Abstract

Two 19th century Russian icons, from the Museo Diocesano of Palermo, were analysed by UV photography, X-ray fluorescence, energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (ED-XRF), optical microscopy, micro-Raman spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy, combined with energy dispersive x-ray analysis, (SEM/EDS). The multi-analytical study of the icons “Protezione della Madre di Dio” (Pokrov’s Icon, Protection of Holy Mother of God) and ‘’Madre di Dio Gioia di Tutti gli Afflitti’’, (Holy Mother of God, Joy of all the afflicted), have been performed to reveal materials and technological features of the original painting of the 19th century as well as the materials used during past restoration works. The obtained results suggest the use of traditional manufacturing techniques and materials such as: paper and cloths for ’impannatura’, gypsum and glue for preparatory layer and lead/tin yellow, cinnabar/vermilion, red lead, carbon black, Prussian blue, red iron oxide, yellow ochre, and lead white as painting pigments.