Non-destructive examination of a polychrome wooden sculpture from the 17th century
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15392/2319-0612.2024.2555Keywords:
X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) analysis, Computed Tomography (CT), Digital Radiography (DR), Polychrome SculptureAbstract
This study investigates the conservation assessment of a polychrome sculpture from the 17th century depicting San Diego de Alcalá, whose origin and workshop remain unknown. Traditionally characterized by specific iconographic elements such as bread and keys, the examined statue deviates from these norms. Initiated by the Diocesan Mitre in Duque de Caxias, the assessment focused on the structural integrity and pigment composition of the sculpture. Using techniques of Computed Tomography (CT), Digital Radiography (DR), and X-ray Fluorescence (XRF), the sculpture underwent a comprehensive analysis. Portable equipment, such as the ICM CP120B X-ray tube and DXR 250U-W flat panel detector, facilitated both CT and DR scans. The CT scan was segmented due to detector size limitations, using an 80 kV, 1 mA X-ray tube to capture 360 images per segment. XRF analysis focused on 12 specific points, employing the Bruker Tracer III-SD with a rhodium X-ray tube and silicon detector, operating at 40 kV and 35 µA for 60 seconds per point. Imaging techniques revealed imperfections, restorations, and structural details, including high-density fillings and embedded nails in the sculpture. XRF analysis identified characteristic elements of historical pigments, along with indications of more recent restorations, possibly involving 20th-century pigments. These findings significantly enrich the understanding and conservation strategies of this religious artwork, providing valuable insights into its construction history and restoration.
Downloads
References
[1] VEGA, L. de; CASE, T. E. San Diego de Alcalá. [S.l.]: Edition Reichenberger, 1988.
[2] CASE, T. The year 1588 and San Diego de Alcal´a. 1988. Available in: ⟨https://sandiegohistory.org/journal/1988/january/year1588/⟩.
[3] ROBSON, M. J. The Franciscans in the Middle Ages. [S.l.]: Boydell Press, 2006. v. 1. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/9781846154676
[4] CASE, T. E. La historia de San Diego de Alcalá: su vida, su canonizaci´on y su legado. [S.l.]: Universidad de Alcalá Servicio de Publicaciones, 1998. v. 4.
[5] CASE, T. La historia de San Diego de Alcalá. Su vida, su canonizacion y su legado. 1999. Available in: ⟨https://sandiegohistory.org/journal/1999/october/alcala-2/⟩.
[6] CALZA, C. et al. Analysis of sculptures using xrf and x-ray radiography. Radiation Physics and Chemistry, Elsevier, v. 116, p. 326–331, 2015. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radphyschem.2015.04.012
[7] OLIVEIRA, R. et al. Analysis of a wooden statue by non-destructive x-ray techniques. X-Ray Spectrometry, Wiley Online Library, v. 52, n. 6, p. 312–322, 2023. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/xrs.3327
[8] CID, H.; CARRASCO-NU´N˜EZ, G.; MANEA, V. Improved method for effective rock microporosity estimation using x-ray microtomography. Micron, Elsevier, v. 97, p. 11–21, 2017. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.micron.2017.01.003
[9] MACHADO, A. et al. Archeological ceramic artifacts characterization through computed microtomography and x-ray fluorescence. X-Ray Spectrometry, Wiley Online Library, v. 46, n. 5, p. 427–434, 2017. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/xrs.2786
[10] VIGORELLI, L. et al. X-ray imaging investigation on the gilding technique of an ancient Egyptian taweret wooden statuette. Journal of Imaging, MDPI, v. 7, n. 11, p. 229, 2021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/jimaging7110229
[11] ALBERTIN, F. et al. X-ray computed tomography in situ: an opportunity for museums and restoration laboratories. Heritage, MDPI, v. 2, n. 3, p. 2028–2038, 2019. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage2030122
[12] BECKHOFF, B. et al. Handbook of practical X-ray fluorescence analysis. [S.l.]: Springer Science & Business Media, 2007. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-36722-2
[13] SILVEIRA, P.; FALCADE, T. Applications of energy dispersive x-ray fluorescence technique in metallic cultural heritage studies. Journal of Cultural Heritage, Elsevier, v. 57, p. 243–255, 2022. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.culher.2022.09.008
[14] ALVES, N. A arte da talha no porto na época barroca. (artistas e clientela. materiais e técnica), Câmara Municipal do Porto. Arquivo Histórico, Porto, 1989.
[15] PINTURA, A. da. Symmetria, e perspectiva. Composta por Philippe Nunes. Fac-simile da edição de, v. 1615.
[16] CLARK, R. J. Pigment identification by spectroscopic means: an arts/science interface. Comptes Rendus Chimie, Elsevier, v. 5, n. 1, p. 7–20, 2002. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S1631-0748(02)01341-3
[17] GRYGAR, T. et al. Analysis of earthy pigments in grounds of baroque paintings. Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry, Springer, v. 375, p. 1154–1160, 2003. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-002-1708-x
[18] CALZA, C. et al. X-ray microfluorescence with synchrotron radiation applied in the analysis of pigments from ancient Egypt. Applied Physics A, Springer, v. 90, p. 75–79, 2008. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00339-007-4234-z
[19] FRANCESCHI, E.; LOCARDI, F. Strontium, a new marker of the origin of gypsum in cultural heritage? Journal of Cultural Heritage, Elsevier, v. 15, n. 5, p. 522–527, 2014. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.culher.2013.10.010
[20] COLOURLEX. Colourlex. 2023. Accessed: May 2023. Available in: ⟨https://colourlex.com⟩.
[21] GAC, A. L.; PESSANHA, S.; CARVALHO, M. L. de. Application of energy dispersive x-ray fluorescence spectrometry to polychrome terracotta sculptures from the Alcobaça Monastery, Portugal. Conservar Patrimônio, Associação Profissional de Conservadores Restauradores de Portugal, n. 20, p. 35–51, 2014. DOI: https://doi.org/10.14568/cp2014008
[22] DUBE, R. The extraction of lead from its ores by the iron-reduction process: A historical perspective. JOM, Springer, v. 58, n. 10, p. 18–23, 2006. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11837-006-0195-5
[23] PALERO-FERNA´NDEZ, F.; MART´IN-IZARD, A. Trace element contents in galena and sphalerite from ore deposits of the Alcudia valley mineral field (eastern Sierra Morena, Spain). Journal of Geochemical Exploration, Elsevier, v. 86, n. 1, p. 1–25, 2005. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gexplo.2005.03.001
[24] PALLADINO, N. et al. An analytical survey of zinc white historical and modern artists’ materials. Heritage Science, Springer, v. 12, n. 1, p. 47, 2024. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40494-023-01082-4
[25] PICOLLO, M. et al. Modern white pigments: their identification by means of noninvasive ultraviolet, visible, and infrared fiber optic reflectance spectroscopy. In: Modern Paints Uncovered: Proceedings from the Modern Paints Uncovered Symposium, May 16–19, 2006, Tate Modern, London. Getty Conservation Institute Symposium Proceedings Series. [S.l.], 2007. p. 129–139.
[26] O’BRIEN, W. A study of lithopone. The Journal of Physical Chemistry, ACS Publications, v. 19, n. 2, p. 113–144, 2002. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/j150155a002
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
Categories
License
Copyright (c) 2024 Roberta Manon de Paula Sales Borges, Ísis Verona Nascimento da Silva Franzi, Josiane Emerich Cavalcante, Elaine Tavares de Gusmão, Anderson Gomes de Paula, Olga Maria Oliveira de Araújo, Ricardo Tadeu Lopes, Davi Ferreira de Oliveira

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Licensing: The BJRS articles are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article’s Creative Commons license, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article’s Creative Commons license and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/