Professional paper
FT-IR analysis of polychromy samples from antique stone sculptures in the Archaeological Museum in Split
Miona Miliša
; Academy of Arts in Split
Josipa Marić
orcid.org/0000-0002-0624-2305
; Museum of Croatian Archaeological Monuments
Ivica Ljubenkov
orcid.org/0000-0002-8947-3255
; Prirodoslovno-matematički fakultet
Abstract
Analyses of polychromy on stone from previous decades
were largely based on the evaluation of pigments analysed
with the naked eye or the microscope, with no chemical analyses
to substantiate them. Nowadays, analytical chemistry can
greatly help in identifying residues of the original colours, i.e.
the pigments used.
It is known that polychromy has been applied onto stone
in all time periods, but well-preserved polychromy on stone
is a rarity indeed. The greatest issue concerns antique sculptures,
whose polychromy is often invisible to the naked
eye and can only be seen with the help of a microscope. The
reason for such poor preservation of polychromy lies in the
weathering that causes chemical changes in the stone and colour. The application of chemical analyses as used by restoration
professionals can help in preserving rare examples of
polychromy, preparing credible reconstructions of polychromy
on objects and selecting suitable methods of restoration and
conservation. The constant development of new methods and
techniques, as well as computer and digital technologies and
technology in general help to preserve very rare and valuable
information, useful for understanding our past.
For the purpose of the research, polychromy samples from
stone sculptures from several museums in Croatia were analysed.
This paper presents the results of the analyses of four
antique objects from the Archaeological Museum in Split. The
purpose of the research was to make an instrumental analysis
of pigments from stone sculptures, and to determine the composition
of pigments, the origin and frequency of use of respective
materials. There is much one can learn about the time,
place and circumstances in which a work of art was produced
through analyses and interpretations of often very subtle differences
in the composition of pigments.
Keywords
FT-IR, polychromy, pigments, stone, Archaeological Museum in Split
Hrčak ID:
271206
URI
Publication date:
22.12.2021.
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