Fingerprinting the Stone at Saint-Denis: A Pilot Study
Pamela Z. Blum|Annie Blanc|Lore L. Holmes|Danielle Valin Johnson
This article concerns art-historical questions raised by the twelfth-century sculptural ensembles at abbey of Saint-Denis and applies information gained from neutron activation multivariate statistical analyses limestones to provide answers. We collected samples western portals, Porte des Valois, capitals in crypt, as well dispersed objects now museums which have been associated with tradition or documentation. The one hundred sixty-four tested also included stone used eighteenth nineteenth-century campaigns restoration portals. After processing a certifiable provenance undisputed dates, we could confidently propose reference groups based on compositional profile trace elements present each sample. As number data base increased, those taken west facade, Valois formed distinct clusters within our group. Thereafter, analysis became increasingly accurate showing probability sample belonging another groups. Neutron statistics combined connoisseurship methods has provided correctives some earlier conclusions solely stylistic judgments. research tool, new techniques enabled us verify attributions disallow others. And finally, they supporting date for start work two decades than traditional one.
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