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Raman Spectroscopy of the Works of Szymon Czechowicz (1689-1775)
Full text linkThe paper presents the results from Raman spectroscopy (RS) analyses of the works of Szymon Czechowicz and his workshop ‒ the most important Polish baroque painter. RS was used for clarification and supplementation of results carried out by the methods: Infrared False Colour (IRFC), XRF, XRD, SEM-EDS, GC-MS, and ATR-FTIR. A complementary analysis of the artist’s work allowed the characterisation of the fillers and the binders of the grounds and the paint layers in his art. The presented results showed that RS was especially useful for identifying the pigments used in the mixtures. It allowed the presence of Prussian blue in the blue and green colours to be determined and made it possible to distinguish the types of iron pigments in the mixtures. The method was useful also for the identification of several types of black pigments in the samples and to identify the massicot in the ground layers which contained another lead pigment – lead white. Tables and figures show the summation of test results carried out by RS analysis, the indication of specific chemical compounds in the painting layers and grounds, all of which provide additional information about the workshop of the most important painter of Polish Baroque. The main conclusion is that without using RS, it would be impossible to achieve these precise research results, helpful in the authentication of Szymon Czechowicz’s works
Religious Differences and Radical Spatial Transformations in Historic Urban Landscape
Full text linkHistoric quarters have been a significant component in creating the identity of historical cities in Iran. In the contemporary era, many of these historic landscapes have faced the collapse of their traditional and social foundations and been subjected to the degradation of their cultural, social and physical values. Given the dominant role of religion in the orientation of the political system in Iran, this article examines how religious differences have created significant spatial transformations in historic urban landscapes for religious minorities. Selecting the historic Armenian quarter in Isfahan (Julfa) as the case study, a new model for the preservation of historic landscapes in ghettos on a national scale has been proposed after having carried out the relevant research. Given the capacities in the constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the findings of this research show that the model of federalism, if integrated into public policy, can promote the social freedom and rights of religious minorities in Iran by increasing the participation of local community and consequently, result in the sustainability of historic urban landscapes in the planning process
The Glue Factories of Casolla: Archaeology of the Structures of a Proto-Industrial Bioclimatic System
Full text linkIn the borough of Casolla, near Caserta, a large number of proto-industrial buildings still exist that were used for the production of animal glue between the end of the 18th century and the beginning of the 20th century. The driers, an integral part of these structures, characterise the urban landscape, emerging with their long, high volumes from the mass of traditional buildings. The position and orientation of the driers of the glue factories (known as collére), as they can still be seen today, were chosen solely for the purpose of achieving a very specific natural regime for the internal microclimate, aimed at maximising air flow and speed in order to accelerate the glue drying process. These formal aspects have been preserved until today, despite the changes made by the owners in order to transform the old driers into modern houses. The glue factories of Casolla, with their driers, constitute a "unicum" from an architectural point of view. A partial and updated re-proposal of the ancient production processes would be unimaginable for conservative purposes, because of their harmfulness to human health and their negative impact on the surrounding environment. That is why their conservation may only take place through refunctionalisation, respecting the typological characteristics and material consistency of the old factories. This type of strategy would be particularly effective due to the specific characteristics of the driers, as it would allow these special characteristics of the cultural landscape of the Caserta area to be preserved
Green Bioactive Compounds: Mitigation Strategies for Cultural Heritage
Full text linkDamage to buildings and monuments by microbiological growth is a cause of serious concern. Due to the necessity of treatment being assessed for in situ application, it is important to select a safe and effective strategy approach that safeguards both the environment and human beings. In the past decade the most frequently used and effective biocides have been banned due to their environmental and health hazards. This paper reports the development of remediation actions based on environmentally innocuous alternatives derived from active compounds produced by Bacillus sp. in conjugation with natural plant products from Brazilian Cerrado plant extracts
Le diverse possibilità di valutazione di un’opera d’arte: il caso di studio della Mona Lisa
Full text linkThe topic of attribution and authentication of works of art is a well known one, and is currently the subject of heated debate. What must be highlighted is the importance of the terminology used to distinguish the different degrees of certainty within the system of art work attribution, and in the context of the different possibilities of evaluating a work of art. It is also necessary to integrate historical-humanistic and technical-experimental skills which should necessarily lead to a subjective and objective evaluation in order to arrive at a univocal scientific truth. As an emblematic case, also owing to the uniqueness of the work, the Mona Lisa, prototype of the Renaissance genius of Leonardo da Vinci, is examined. At the same time, the versions and copies of the Mona Lisa are also studied, basing the examination on in-depth archival and bibliographic research, and taking into account the results of the historical-artistic and technical-material analyses from a methodological point of view.Il tema dell'attribuzione e dell'autenticazione delle opere d'arte è ben noto ed è attualmente oggetto di accesi dibattiti. Ciò che deve essere sottolineato è l'importanza della terminologia utilizzata per distinguere i diversi gradi di certezza all'interno del sistema di attribuzione dell'opera d'arte e nel contesto delle diverse possibilità di valutazione di un'opera d'arte. È inoltre necessario integrare le competenze storico-umanistiche e tecnico-sperimentali che dovrebbero necessariamente condurre a una valutazione soggettiva e obiettiva al fine di arrivare a una verità scientifica univoca. Come caso emblematico, anche per l'unicità dell'opera, viene esaminata la Gioconda, prototipo del genio rinascimentale di Leonardo da Vinci. Allo stesso tempo, vengono anche studiate le versioni e le copie della Gioconda, basando l'esame su approfondite ricerche archivistiche e bibliografiche e tenendo conto dei risultati delle analisi storico-artistiche e tecnico-materiali da un punto di vista metodologico
Multifaceted Analysis of Glazed Ceramics from Jordan: Raw Materials and Technological Aspects
Full text linkThe aim of this work was to study the chemical and micro-structural composition of Ayyubid/Mamluk glazed ceramics excavated from Tal Al Husun, Jordan. The investigations were conducted to obtain information on raw materials and their technical processing (provenance and technology). To identify the clay materials and the glaze, ceramic bodies as well as glazed layers were analyzed using ICP–AES, optical microscope and X- ray diffraction (XRD). The samples were classified into four groups according to their clay paste and ceramic color. Results revealed that the ceramic object was made of a homogeneous paste (composed of non-calcareous, non-ferrous clay) containing a high proportion of quartz; the study also indicated that the ceramic samples had a high lead (Pb) content. This type of glaze was prepared by brushing the body of the pottery vessels with a mixture of lead and silicate solution. The analysis by scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction and optical microscope showed that the Ayyubid/Mamluk potter fired his pottery using a double-combustion method at a temperature exceeding 1000° C. As for the raw material used in the manufacture of the clay paste, evidence shows that the pottery body was made of local source material, while the glaze material was not locally available, and this is evidence that it was imported
La sinergia fra scienze umane e scienze sperimentali per la tutela e valorizzazione del patrimonio culturale e ambientale: L’attività di Salvatore Lorusso nella formazione e nella ricerca
Full text linkInterdisciplinarity and internationalization in the field of cultural and environmental heritage represent two fundamental concepts and objectives in the field of academic training and research. These are the concepts and objectives achieved in the forty years of activity of Salvatore Lorusso and represent the culmination of his long experience, which has been directed at creating a synergy between the human sciences and experimental sciences for the protection and enhancement of cultural and environmental heritage. In this paper, as well as providing a brief summary of this activity, emphasis is placed on how courage, perseverance and creativity have led to the current assertion to ‘build networks’ between stakeholders and players, so that the equation “habitus e habitat” from theory has become reality.L’interdisciplinarità e l’internazionalizzazione nel settore dei beni culturali e ambientali rappresentano fondamentali intenti ed obiettivi rivolti alla formazione e alla ricerca. Questi concetti, ormai da diversi anni acquisiti, rappresentano il punto di arrivo della quarantennale attività di Salvatore Lorusso volta alla sinergia fra scienze umane e scienze sperimentali per la tutela e valorizzazione del patrimonio culturale e ambientale. Nel lavoro, oltre che riassumere sommariamente tale attività, si sottolinea come coraggio, perseveranza, creatività hanno condotto all’affermazione oggi imperante di “fare sistema”, per cui l’equazione “habitus e habitat” da teoria si è fatta pratica
Microwave Treatment of Stone Surfaces for the Devitalization of Biodeteriogens
Full text linkThe experimental work described in this paper is aimed at evaluating the possibility of applying microwave heating to a restoration project. The technique involves the application of microwaves to stone surfaces affected by biodeterioration. Results showed that the pests were completely devitalised. The materials chosen for the survey were yellow and grey tuff. Samples of both tuffs were taken in the area of agro nocerino-sarnese and samples of lime mortar and brick were taken from a ruin located in Saint Eustachio (AV). The methodology consists of two phases: in the first, samples of material are placed in a reverberation chamber and treated by varying the parameters of power and exposure time; in the second, they underwent chemical-physical analysis aimed at establishing whether the treatment had induced aesthetic and/or structural alterations. The procedure was performed both on intact samples and on powdered samples for further analysis. Specifically selected and treated samples were subjected to colorimetric analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, of x-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, SEM, and analysis of transport properties and compressive strength. Results from the chemical and structural analyses relating to the samples treated with the protocol showed no differences between the treated and untreated material. The only difference between the two types of material used related to the absorption capacity of water after treatment. From this, it can be deduced that the heating of stone materials using microwaves devitalizes pests, while leaving the substrate unaltered and the microstructure unaffected by any change
Felt as a Surviving Part of Material and Spiritual World Culture
Full text linkAn analysis of academic literature and of specialized sources shows a serious lack of research studies and publications on the role of felt in Bashkir material culture. A review of available information about felt can provide the groundwork for further in-depth research studies in this area. This paper aims to introduce readers to the history of felt, its place in daily life and its reflection in Bashkir spiritual culture. What makes this study relevant in the present context is that it fills the gap in research on felt as being an element of Bashkir material culture and its presence in Bashkir folklore. Based on felt-related folklore and ethnographic materials drawn from the authors’ published and non-published field notes, this paper seeks to show the rich history of felt from ancient times to our days and to identify its place in Bashkir spiritual culture. The analytical approach used for this study has revealed the strong presence of felt in folklore, particularly, in Bashkir fairy tales and customs highlighting the mention of white felt, which was widely used in rituals and traditional medicine. Examples drawn from various fairy tales illustrate the authors’ observations about the role of felt in Bashkir spiritual culture.L'analisi sulla letteratura accademica e sulle fonti specifiche, mostra una grave carenza di studi, ricerche e pubblicazioni sul ruolo del feltro nella cultura materiale dei baschiri. L’esame delle informazioni disponibili sul feltro può fornire le basi per ulteriori approfonditi studi in questo settore. Questo articolo ha la finalità di presentare ai lettori la storia del feltro, il suo ruolo nella vita quotidiana e il suo riflesso nella cultura spirituale baschirica. Ciò che rende rilevante questo studio è il fatto che colma la carenza della ricerca sul feltro come elemento della cultura materiale e del folklore baschiro. Questo lavoro, basato sul folklore legato al feltro e sui materiali etnografici tratti dagli studi sul campo, già pubblicati dagli stessi autori o inediti, cerca di mostrare la ricca storia del feltro, dai tempi antichi ai nostri giorni, e di identificarne il posto nella cultura spirituale baschirica. L'approccio analitico utilizzato per questo studio ha rivelato la forte presenza di feltro nel folklore, in particolare nelle fiabe e nei costumi di Bashkir, evidenziando la menzione del feltro bianco, che è stato ampiamente usato nei rituali e nella medicina tradizionale. Esempi tratti da varie fiabe illustrano le osservazioni degli autori sul ruolo del feltro nella cultura spirituale baschirica
Biotechnology in the Conservation Field: Removal of Sulphates Using Bacteria and Bioconsolidation of Paintings and Stuccos
Full text linkThe aim of this study was to explore the use of biotechnologies in the restoration of wall paintings and stuccos which often show a great complexity regarding constitutive materials and conservative conditions. ‘Biological methods’ were compared to traditional methods, focusing on restoring the cohesion of the superficial layers (bioconsolidation) and the removal of sulphates (biocleaning) often found on the frescoes as decay products. The experimentation took place as part of a graduate thesis and was divided in two stages: the first was spent in the laboratory working on samples of painted plaster and the second was spent in situ, on the frescoes and stuccos in the Church of Santa Pudenziana in Rome, Italy. Application of the products was followed by a campaign of investigations aimed at determining the efficacy, and the advantages and disadvantages of these methods compared to conventional ones