Affiliation:
1. CNR-ISPC—National Research Council, Institute of Heritage Science, Via Madonna del Piano 10, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019 Florence, Italy
2. Conservator, Restoration Firm, Viuzzo delle Canne 8R, 50136 Florence, Italy
Abstract
The gilded bronze eagles that stand upon the summit of the Tabernacle by Michelozzo in the Abbey of San Miniato al Monte, Florence (Italy) are an exquisite example of Italian Renaissance sculpture. Commissioned by Piero di Cosimo de Medici, the two eagles, representing the ancient Arte di Calimala, were cast and decorated by Maso di Bartolomeo in the 1448–1449 period. A multi-analytical approach was set up to characterize the state of conservation, materials used, and artistic technique of the eagles. Non-invasive methods were used and integrated with micro-invasive analyses, such as X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometry on powders (XRPD), scanning electron microscopy coupled with EDS (SEM-EDS), and metallographic investigation. The results depict shiny-looking eagles, suggesting the use of oil gilding on almost all surfaces and revealing the presence of polychromies, which is almost unusual in XV-century bronze statuary and is initially hidden by deposits and corrosion products. Indeed, the paws were originally painted with azurite, while the use of cinnabar imparted a vivid red color to the tongue. A black paint containing mercury was found on the eyes and talons. The bales of cloth were decorated with silver, which is now almost completely lost and whose remains are not visible due to being tarnished, while fine details in gold were detected on the lanyard.
Reference56 articles.
1. Giumlia-Mair, A. (2017, January 11–12). Polychromy on Greek and Roman Metals: Texst and analyses. Proceedings of the III Workshop des Netzwerks Archäologisch-Historisch es Metallhandwerk, Uber den Glanz des Goldes und die Polychromie, Berlin, Germany.
2. Revealing Mithras’ Color with the ICVBC Mobile Lab in the Museum;Magrini;Heritage,2019
3. The application of multi-band imaging integrated with non-invasive spot analyses for the examination of archaeological stone artefacts;Bracci;Conserv. 360°,2020
4. Architectural Polychromy on the Athenian Acropolis: An in situ non-invasive analytical investigation of the colour remains;Aggelakopoulou;Heritage,2022
5. Color and Light: A Hellenistic Terracotta Figurine of a Maenad from Myrina;Bourgeois;Heritage,2023
Cited by
1 articles.
订阅此论文施引文献
订阅此论文施引文献,注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献,订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献