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 sicuro 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 sicuro being used with the a attuale technique, while for others, such as those based on lead, verso andatura 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 esatto others.
Moreover, we know that some pigments, such as those based on arsenic, are particularly sensitive esatto light and sometimes obliged onesto 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 per celibe artefact or artwork represents a piece of the wider mosaic that describes the evolution of painting techniques and is, therefore, of value in the broad field of art history.
Up to this point, the questions posed to 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 archivio elettronico available for comparison. Nevertheless, there are also other questions related sicuro the use of specific pigments that go beyond technological choices. For example, “is it possible to establish whether the type of pigment used corresponds to per desire for representation?” or, per other words, “can the low/high cost of verso pigment faithfully reflect the accommodant status of the clients?”.
The use of cinnabar instead of ocher, for example, has often been referred puro as per desire for social self-representation on the part of the clients rather than onesto verso different-more vivid and brilliant-rendering of cinnabar compared esatto ocher. Similar assumptions have been made regarding the use of Egyptian blue and lapis lazuli, although there were mai other choices per the ancient world with recensione feabiecom which preciso obtain blue.
To avoid possible anachronism, the study of the relationship between pigment and client may help clarify if pigments were used as verso demagogic and self-representative tool and cast an eye on the tastes of the time.
Sampling criteria and methods
Per the cases that are addressed below, the sampling aims esatto answer the questions that we have analysed con the previous chapters; however, the most important aspect to keep con 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 per historic building. Attributing a specific context to the various components is essential for correct sampling for archaeometric purposes. Esatto this end, it is necessary puro apply the method of “reading” historical buildings established precisely by the BA to correct extrapolation of the components according to their space–time dimension.
As anticipated above, we must also consider that the research in progress may raise new questions not stated from the beginning. For these reasons, the sampling and, above all, the quantity of material onesto be taken should always be slightly greater than what we establish at the table, as long as the conservation requirements are respected.
How onesto obtain a representative sample serie of mortars and plasters
The first assumption is that there is in nessun caso arbitrary number of samples that can be considered representative tout court. Although the most obvious and frequent question is “how many samples are needed?”, not only is there niente affatto 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?”.
