Egyptian blue in the Castelseprio mural painting cycle. Imaging and evidence of a non-traditional manufacture
Marco Nicola|Maurizio Aceto|Vincenzo Gheroldi|Roberto Gobetto|Giacomo Chiari
The mural paintings in Santa Maria foris portas church at Castelseprio (Lombardy) are a precious early medieval cycle datable between 9th or 10th century CE and therefore among the oldest Carolingian Italy. painting has been analysed situ, to characterise palette used its decoration, with non-invasive molecular elemental techniques. In addition, Visible Induced Luminescence (VIL) applied assess extended use of Egyptian blue within cycle. palette, beside expected pigments, is characterised by diffuse presence blue, more than 500 years after fall Western Roman Empire. A remarkable feature composition non-negligible amounts zinc, indicating non-traditional production it. fact, copper/zinc alloy rather common copper/tin copper/arsenic proper bronze residues as source copper, never previously reported.
Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports|Institutional Research Information System University of Turin (University of Turin)