The Tomb of the Three Brothers in Palmyra: The Use of Mimetite,A Rare Yellow Pigment,in A Rich Decoration |
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| Authors: | N. Buisson D. Burlot H. Eristov M. Eveno N. Sarkis |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Bibliothèque nationale de France, Département de la Conservation, Laboratoire, Paris, France;2. Institut National d'Histoire de l'Art, Histoire de l'archéologie, Histoire de l'art antique, Paris, France;3. Ecole Normale Supérieure, Paris, France;4. Centre de Recherche et de Restauration des Musées de France (C2RMF), Palais du Louvre—Porte des Lions, Paris, France;5. Direction générale des Antiquités et des Musées de Syrie, Musée archéologique, Syrian Arab Republic |
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| Abstract: | The wall paintings of the Tomb of the Three Brothers in Palmyra display a very rich Greco‐Roman iconography. The study of the painting reveals the use of a great variety of pigments, including Egyptian blue and an extremely rare bright yellow pigment, mimetite, of which no other traces are known for this period. This pigment was identified through the combined use of two methods of analysis, scanning electron microscopy associated with X‐ray microanalysis (SEM–EDS) and X‐ray micro‐diffraction (XRD). The varied chromatic palette used underlines the refinement and the particular care given to these decorations. Notable differences have been found between the pigments of the decorations of the arch and those used for the rest of the chamber. |
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| Keywords: | Tomb of the Three Brothers Palmyra wall painting pigments mimetite Greco‐Roman iconography Egyptian blue |
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