Investigation of materials and techniques

Abstract

Scientific analyses were performed to obtain information about the the artist's materials and techniques used and to discover whether a technical examination could further reveal information on the nature and extent of modifications to Giovanni Bellini's original composition. The techniques employed for this study included stereobinocular microscopy; x-radiography; infrared-, ultraviolet-, and raking light photography; optical- and chemical microscopy; x-ray diffraction analysis; energy dispersive x-ray fluorescence analysis (EDXRF); and elemental analysis with an x-ray fluorescence analyzer. Radiography was the most useful; EDXRF was useful only in examining the outer layer. The results of the analyses are discussed in relation to each of the elements of the painting: canvas, support, ground, and primer, underdrawing (or lack thereof), pigments, and paint medium. A note on the interpretation of the layer structure precedes discussion of pigments used on specific areas of the painting, i.e., flesh or the various draperies. Alterations, foreground, background landscape, central band of landscape, and upper landscape and Titian's work are each treated separately. The fluorescence between paint layers under blue or ultraviolet light is discussed.