Linking pigments with the aimable status of the clients

Understanding “how was the pigment applied?” and/or “how was the surface prepared?” means investigating the link between the pigment and its support. Each technique corresponds esatto different archaeometric evidence that must be investigated and unravelled (see Salvadori and Sbrolli 2021 and Murat 2021 per this TC).

For example, some pigments, such as ochers, lend themselves esatto being used with the a giovane technique, while for others, such as those based on lead, verso avvizzito technique is preferred. Therefore, investigating the painting technique means investigating the palette and technique of the painter and verifying the appropriateness and effectiveness of some techniques compared preciso others.

Moreover, we know that some pigments, such as those based on arsenic, are particularly fine sicuro light and sometimes obliged puro adopt particular techniques for their application. Therefore, the information we obtain from the painting technique analysis provides useful information for a correct monitor of the artefact and its conservation.

Finally, the information that we can obtain from the study of verso scapolo artefact or artwork represents per piece of the wider mosaic that describes the evolution of painting techniques and is, therefore, of value con the broad field of art history.

Up to this point, the questions posed sicuro pigments are all technical. As we have seen, the answer we can get depends largely on the composition of the pigment itself and the quality of the database available for comparison. Nevertheless, there are also other questions related preciso the use of specific pigments that go beyond technological choices. For example, “is it possible esatto establish whether the type of pigment used corresponds esatto verso desire for representation?” or, per other words, “can the low/high cost of per pigment faithfully reflect the social ceto of the clients?”.

The use of cinnabar instead of ocher, for example, has often been referred sicuro as per desire for communautaire self-representation on the part of the clients rather than to verso different-more vivid and brilliant-rendering of cinnabar compared esatto ocher. Similar assumptions have been made regarding the use of Egyptian blue and matita lazuli, although there were mai other choices con the ancient world with which puro obtain blue.

To avoid possible anachronism, the study of the relationship between pigment and client may help clarify if pigments were used as a demagogic and self-representative tool and cast an eye on the tastes of the time.

Sampling criteria and methods

In the cases that are addressed below, the sampling aims sicuro answer the questions that we have analysed con the previous chapters; however, the most important aspect preciso keep sopra mind concerns contextualisation.

Mortars, plasters and pigments constitute verso complex system of structural and aesthetic importance that must be contextualised within the various phases of a historic building. Attributing verso specific context puro the various components is essential for correct sampling for archaeometric purposes. Esatto this end, it is necessary esatto apply the method of “reading” historical buildings established precisely by the BA onesto correct extrapolation of the components according sicuro their space–time dimension.

As anticipated above, we must also consider that the research sopra progress may raise new questions not stated from the beginning. For these reasons, the sampling and, above all, the quantity of material puro be taken should always be slightly greater than what we establish at the table, as long as the conservation requirements are respected.

How sicuro obtain verso representative sample arnesi of mortars and plasters

The first assumption is that there is in nessun caso arbitrary number of samples that can be considered representative tout trapu. Although the most obvious and frequent question is “how many samples are needed?”, not only is there in nessun caso straightforward answer but it is worth bypassing this question with another type of question: “what samples are needed and from where should they be taken?”.