Authors:
Chiara M. Franceschi Dipartimento di Chimica e Chimica industriale, Università di Genova, Via Dodecaneso 31, 16146, Genoa, Italy

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Giorgio A. Costa Dipartimento di Chimica e Chimica industriale, Università di Genova, Via Dodecaneso 31, 16146, Genoa, Italy

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Enrico Franceschi Dipartimento di Chimica e Chimica industriale, Università di Genova, Via Dodecaneso 31, 16146, Genoa, Italy

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Abstract

It is well known, from ancient Egypt, that some pigments and colourants can change with time for light effect or chemical attack. Cennino Cennini in the fifteenth century in his book “Il libro dell'arte o trattato della pittura” describes the use of many pigments and their degradation. He was aware of the problems and was able to suggest the answers in the use of pigments on several supports, but he could not understand the physical–chemical reason of the alteration processes. In this study, we point out the aging effects in seven paintings, practically of the same period (1650–1655). We considered in particular green, white and blue pigments of the palette of Valerio Castello. About 150 spots were selected on works painted on four different supports, canvas, wood panel, copper and slate. For each point, several determinations were carried on the pigments and decomposition products, aiming to determine the state of conservation of the paintings, the nature of the pigments, their alteration and if the support can affect the kinetics of degradation.

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  • 3. Martin, E Grounds on canvas 1600–1640 in various European artistic centres 2008 JH Townsend T Doherty G Heydenreich J Ridge eds. Preparation for painting, the artist's choice and its consequences Archetype Publications London 5967.

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  • 4. Gettens, RJ, Feller, R, Chase, WT Vermillion and cinnabar A Roy eds. Artists’ pigments, a handbook of their history and characteristics, vol 2 Oxford University Press New York 1986 159182.

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  • 17. Bianchetti, P, Santopadre, P. Un'alterazione dei pigmenti nei dipinti murali: la trasformazione dell'azzurrite in paratacamite. Boll ICR 2004 8–9:7686.

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Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry
Language English
Size A4
Year of
Foundation
1969
Volumes
per Year
1
Issues
per Year
24
Founder Akadémiai Kiadó
Founder's
Address
H-1117 Budapest, Hungary 1516 Budapest, PO Box 245.
Publisher Akadémiai Kiadó
Springer Nature Switzerland AG
Publisher's
Address
H-1117 Budapest, Hungary 1516 Budapest, PO Box 245.
CH-6330 Cham, Switzerland Gewerbestrasse 11.
Responsible
Publisher
Chief Executive Officer, Akadémiai Kiadó
ISSN 1388-6150 (Print)
ISSN 1588-2926 (Online)

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