Material characterization of gilding and painting techniques of a post-byzantine icon

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Maria Oliveira
Direcção Geral do Património Cultural, Laboratório José Figueiredo; Universidade de Évora, Laboratório HERCULES
M. Teresa Crespo
Direção Regional de Cultura do Alentejo, Museu de Évora
Sónia Costa
Universidade de Évora, Escola de Ciências e Tecnologia, Laboratório HERCULES
Cristina Barrocas Dias
Universidade de Évora, Escola de Ciências e Tecnologia, Laboratório HERCULES
Ana Manhita
Universidade de Évora, Escola de Ciências e Tecnologia, Laboratório HERCULES
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6350-9408
Ana Cardoso
Universidade de Évora, Escola de Ciências e Tecnologia, Laboratório HERCULES
Luís Dias
Universidade de Évora, Escola de Ciências e Tecnologia, Laboratório HERCULES
António Candeias
Universidade de Évora, Escola de Ciências e Tecnologia, Laboratório HERCULES; Direcção Geral do Património Cultural, Laboratório José Figueiredo
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4912-5061

Abstract

This study aims to identify the materials used in the production of a post-byzantine icon from the Museum of Évora’s collection. The icon, representing the “Emperor Constantine and his mother Helen holding the Holy Cross” was once dated as being from the 10th century. Throughout a multi-analytical approach, combining area exams with spectroscopic techniques, this study tried to confirm its actual chronology. The results obtained revealed that it is most likely an icon from the late 17th or 18th century.

Keywords: Orthodox art, Museum of Évora, Sgraffito, Punch work, Dyes

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