DOMUS AUREA,THE ‘SALA DELLE MASCHERE’: CHEMICAL AND SPECTROSCOPIC INVESTIGATIONS ON THE FRESCO PAINTINGS |
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| Authors: | A. PARADISI A. SODO D. ARTIOLI A. BOTTI D. CAVEZZALI A. GIOVAGNOLI C. POLIDORO M. A. RICCI |
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| Affiliation: | 1. MiBAC consultant, viale Gottardo 100, 00141 Roma, Italy;2. Dipartimento di Fisica ‘E. Amaldi’, Università degli Studi Roma Tre, via della Vasca Navale 84, 00146 Roma, Italy;3. Istituto Superiore per la Conservazione e il Restauro, Piazza San Francesco di Paola 9, 00184, Roma, Italy;4. Facoltà Scienze dei Beni Culturali, UNIDAV, Piazza San Rocco, 66010 Torrevecchia Teatina (CH), Italy |
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| Abstract: | In this paper, data collected from the wall fresco paintings of room 114, called the ‘Sala delle maschere’, of the Domus Aurea in Rome is analysed. The chemical composition of the efflorescence is investigated by infrared spectroscopy. The colour palette is determined by means of EDXRF, Raman spectroscopy and visible reflectance spectroscopy. EDXRF has allowed an extensive mapping of the elements present in the pigments and plaster; whilst in‐situ Raman spectroscopy has been determinant for attributing the molecular composition of the pigments in a number of doubtful cases. Most pigments identified are typical of Imperial Roman fresco paintings (first to fourth centuries AD) ( Ward‐Perkins 1981 ); more interestingly, we found evidence of fragments painted with Egyptian blue, which was normally used mostly in official rooms. |
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| Keywords: | RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY EDXRF DOMUS AUREA CONSERVATION CONDITION PIGMENTS |
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