scholarly journals The Characterization of the Materials Used by Gino Severini in His 20th C Wall Paintings at Semsales in Switzerland

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (19) ◽  
pp. 9161
Author(s):  
Patrizia Moretti ◽  
Stefan Zumbühl ◽  
Ottaviano Caruso ◽  
Nicola Gammaldi ◽  
Paola Iazurlo ◽  
...  

The modern decoration of the Saint Nicolas de Myre Church at Semsales (1924–1926), is the first by renowned Italian artist Gino Severini in Switzerland. Following archival research and visual examination, the materials and the techniques used by Severini for the wall paintings of this church were examined through a multi-technique analytical approach that included both non-invasive and invasive investigations. Archival research revealed lists of some of the materials purchased for the church and notes of the artists. In situ investigations included imaging methods and point analyses (X-ray fluorescence and reflection FT-IR spectroscopy). Based on non-invasive results, a limited number of representative samples were collected for laboratory invasive analyses (SEM-EDS, FTIR-FPA imaging, μ-Raman and GC-MS) to characterize the stratigraphy and the composition of the paintings. Results were coherent with artist’s notes and revealed protein-based binders, i.e. animal glue and casein, exclusively on the Trinity mural (in the apse) confirming the use of a secco technique. All the other wall paintings analyzed at Semsales are painted without the use of organic binders. These findings, integrated with archival researches and the visual examination by conservators, provided significant insights into the materials and techniques used by Gino Severini in his first Swiss murals.

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Edgar Casanova-González ◽  
Miguel Ángel Maynez-Rojas ◽  
Alejandro Mitrani ◽  
Isaac Rangel-Chávez ◽  
María Angélica García-Bucio ◽  
...  

Abstract Almost three hundred Spanish colonial missions—or their remains—are scattered over the vast state of Chihuahua in northern Mexico. A few of them still display painted decorations on the wood ceilings and walls. The decorated areas vary greatly, from the whole ceiling of the main aisle to just a few square meters in a lateral chapel, and so does the conservation state of the paintings. In this context, the information regarding the paintings’ composition plays a key role in the restoration and conservation processes. For the gathering of such information, we propose a combined methodology for a fast, non-destructive and non-invasive characterization of such paintings with a minimum of techniques. This methodology includes false color infrared imaging as a first approach to determine the composition of large areas of the paintings and the homogeneity of the materials used in the painted areas, followed by small area analysis by X-ray fluorescence and fiber-optics reflectance spectroscopy. This methodology was applied to characterize the elemental and molecular composition of the decorations for four missions in Chihuahua in a fast and specific manner, revealing the use of a mix of mineral and organic materials including indigo and cochineal, and detecting differences between the missions. The methodology presented here can be easily applied for the study of a wider number of missions in Chihuahua and other regions to provide outstanding information of materials, pictorial techniques and deterioration conditions.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chiara Grazia ◽  
David Buti ◽  
Anna Amat ◽  
Francesca Rosi ◽  
Aldo Romani ◽  
...  

AbstractMaya blue is a hybrid pigment where an organic component, indigo, is incorporated in a porous clay. Despite its widespread use in the Mesoamerican artistic production and numerous studies devoted to understand the type of interactions between indigo and the host framework, its technology has not been completely unravelled yet. In this study portable non-invasive UV–vis reflection spectroscopy is proposed as a robust method for in situ investigation of Maya blue pigments. Laboratory mock-ups of powder Maya blue have been prepared employing different synthesis procedures (varying the nature of: clays, indigo–clay ratios, heating temperatures and time). The goodness of the prepared Maya blue samples—namely the occurrence of indigo–clay interactions—have been probed by micro-Raman spectroscopy and related UV–vis spectral markers have been identified. DFT calculations as well have been performed to deeply explain UV–vis profiles. The set of spectral markers have been finally exploited to interpret spectra recorded on Mesoamerican pictorial codices, through a multi-technique approach based on exploring the UV–Vis properties of the blue paint supported by the FT-IR vibrational study of the inorganic clays. The characterization of blue colours on pre-Hispanic and colonial Mesoamerican codices contribute to a better understanding of the compositional variability of these painting materials and to point out the existence of different technological traditions of colour preparation in ancient Mesoamerica.


Heritage ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 2398-2407
Author(s):  
Mollica Nardo ◽  
Renda ◽  
Bonanno ◽  
Parrotta ◽  
Anastasio ◽  
...  

The characterization of materials used in the archaeological field needs an experimental approach in order to avoid the destruction or perturbation of artworks. In order to afford this purpose, a multi-analytical spectroscopic approach is regularly used. We combined non-invasive analysis by using handheld spectroscopic instrumentations (mainly XRF and Raman spectrometers) in order to characterize the wall painting preserved in the church of S. Maria delle Palate at Halaesa Arconidea archeological site (Tusa, Messina, Italy). The aim of the work is the characterization of the nature of pigments used for the realization of the wall painting. The wall painting, probably representing St. Francis in the act of receiving the stigmata, has been subject to cleaning and restoration. Thanks to use of in situ measurement, we have identified hematite and goethite for the red and yellow respectively, and lazurite for the blue. In addition, some relevant information about the black pigment, the technique used for the realization and the conservation state were also obtained. The results obtained during the diagnostic campaign have been a support for the work of restorers. For the first time, the wall painting has been studied, increasing the knowledge of Halaesa Arconidea archaeological site.


1994 ◽  
Vol 48 (10) ◽  
pp. 1208-1212 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. J. Benítez ◽  
I. Carrizosa ◽  
J. A. Odriozola

The reactivity of a Lu2O3-promoted Rh/Al2O3 catalyst in the CO/H2 reaction is reported. Methane, heavier hydrocarbons, methanol, and ethanol are obtained. In situ DRIFTS has been employed to record the infrared spectra under the actual reaction conditions. The structure of the observed COads DRIFTS bands has been resolved into its components. The production of oxygenates (methanol and ethanol) has been correlated with the results of the deconvolution calculation. Specific sites for the production of methanol and ethanol in the CO/H2 reaction over a Rh,Lu2O3/Al2O3 catalyst are proposed.


Minerals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 774
Author(s):  
Eleonora Sočo ◽  
Dorota Papciak ◽  
Magdalena M. Michel ◽  
Dariusz Pająk ◽  
Andżelika Domoń ◽  
...  

(1) Hydroxyapatite (Hap), which can be obtained by several methods, is known to be a good adsorbent. Coal fly ash (CFA) is a commonly reused byproduct also used in environmental applications as an adsorbent. We sought to answer the following question: Can CFA be included in the method of Hap wet synthesis to produce a composite capable of adsorbing both heavy metals and dyes? (2) High calcium lignite CFA from the thermal power plant in Bełchatów (Poland) was used as the base to prepare CFA–Hap composites. Four types designated CFA–Hap1–4 were synthesized via the wet method of in situ precipitation. The synthesis conditions differed in terms of the calcium reactants used, pH, and temperature. We also investigated the equilibrium adsorption of Cu(II) and rhodamine B (RB) on CFA–Hap1–4. The data were fitted using the Langmuir, Freundlich, and Redlich–Peterson models and validated using R2 and χ2/DoF. Surface changes in CFA–Hap2 following Cu(II) and RB adsorption were assessed using SEM, SE, and FT-IR analysis. (3) The obtained composites contained hydroxyapatite (Ca/P 1.67) and aluminosilicates. The mode of Cu(II) and RB adsorption could be explained by the Redlich–Peterson model. The CFA–Hap2 obtained using CFA, Ca(NO3)2, and (NH4)2HPO4 at RT and pH 11 exhibited the highest maximal adsorption capacity: 73.6 mg Cu/g and 87.0 mg RB/g. (4) The clear advantage of chemisorption over physisorption was indicated by the Cu(II)–CFA–Hap system. The RB molecules present in the form of uncharged lactone were favorably adsorbed even on strongly deprotonated CFA–Hap surfaces.


1982 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 361-368 ◽  
Author(s):  
Larry F. Wieserman ◽  
David M. Hercules

This study compares the properties of γ-alumina, silica, and titania using ESCA and in situ FT-IR. The FWHM's of the O1s and metal 2p ESCA peaks increased systematically from titania to γ alumina; the O1s/metal 2p ESCA peak area ratios were nearly equal for γ-alumina and silica. For titania, however, the value was half that obtained for γ-alumina. In situ FT-IR showed hydroxyl bands with increasing frequencies from titania to silica. Alumina and titania form carbonate-type structures after exposure to CO at elevated temperatures. Silica exhibited no additional bands after CO treatment that could be assigned to physically adsorbed CO or carbonate-type structures. At 100°C, there is a direct correlation between the specific surface area and the intensity of infrared absorbance of the free-hydroxyl and the hydrogen-bonded hydroxyl bands for silica. The intensities of the infrared bands due to matrix modes were not affected by surface area.


Heritage ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 858-874
Author(s):  
Susanna Bracci ◽  
Donata Magrini ◽  
Rachele Manganelli del Fà ◽  
Oana Adriana Cuzman ◽  
Barbara Mazzei

The Lot Sarcophagus is one of the most relevant funerary sculptures of late antiquity (mid-4th century AC). Some of the remarkable aspects are the following (i) it is still preserved in situ; (ii) most of the carved scenes are rarities or unicum; (iii) not all the sculpture work has been completed, which allows us to analyse the executive process; (iv) many traces of polychromy have remained. This paper is focused on the characterization of the residual polychromy by using in-situ non-invasive techniques. Furthermore, few micro samples were taken, to be analysed in laboratory to study the composition of some deposits and to define if a preparatory layer was present under the coloured layer. The data showed that the very rich polychromy of the Lot Sarcophagus was made of Egyptian blue, yellow ochre, and three different types of red: two inorganics (red ochre and cinnabar), and one organic-based (madder lake). Furthermore, some decorations, completely vanished and no longer visible to the naked eye, have been rediscovered, also providing details on the construction phases. During the project, the 3D model of the sarcophagus was acquired, which afterwards was used to map the results of the diagnostic campaign.


Catalysts ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1096
Author(s):  
Ligang Luo ◽  
Xiao Han ◽  
Qin Zeng

A series of Ni-Fe/SBA-15 catalysts was prepared and tested for the catalytic hydrogenation of levulinic acid to γ-valerolactone, adopting methanol as the only hydrogen donor, and investigating the synergism between Fe and Ni, both supported on SBA-15, towards this reaction. The characterization of the synthesized catalysts was carried out by XRD (X-ray powder diffraction), TEM (transmission electron microscopy), H2-TPD (hydrogen temperature-programmed desorption), XPS (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy), and in situ FT-IR (Fourier transform–infrared spectroscopy) techniques. H2-TPD and XPS results have shown that electron transfer occurs from Fe to Ni, which is helpful both for the activation of the C=O bond and for the dissociative activation of H2 molecules, also in agreement with the results of the in situ FT-IR spectroscopy. The effect of temperature and reaction time on γ-valerolactone production was also investigated, identifying the best reaction conditions at 200 °C and 180 min, allowing for the complete conversion of levulinic acid and the complete selectivity to γ-valerolactone. Moreover, methanol was identified as an efficient hydrogen donor, if used in combination with the Ni-Fe/SBA-15 catalyst. The obtained results are promising, especially if compared with those obtained with the traditional and more expensive molecular hydrogen and noble-based catalysts.


2007 ◽  
Vol 124-126 ◽  
pp. 287-290 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fei Liu ◽  
Yong Jun He ◽  
Jeung Soo Huh

The nano-CeO2 was synthesized by two-step solid-phase reaction. The image of TEM showed that nano-CeO2 with an average size of about 70 nm. The series of polyaniline/nano-CeO2 composites with different PANi: CeO2 ratios were prepared by in-situ polymerization in the presence of hydrochloric acid (HCl) as dopant by adding nano-CeO2 into the polymerization reaction mixture of aniline. The composites obtained were characterized by FT-IR and UV-vis spectroscopy analysis. The FT-IR spectra of nanocomposites indicate different blue-shifts, attributed to C–N stretching mode for benzenoid unit. The UV-vis spectra of nanocomposites display einstein-shifts compared with PANi at 620nm. The conductivity properties of the composites are also changed compare to the pure PANi. These results suggest that the interactions between the polymer matrix and nanoparticles take place in polyaniline/nano- CeO2 composites.


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