Fourier Transform Raman analysis of paint fragments from biodeteriorated Renaissance frescoes

Abstract

The application of Fourier Transform (FT) Raman spectroscopy to three coloured pigment samples and a white pigment from biodeteriorated sixteenth century Italian Renaissance frescoes located at the Palazzo Farnese, Caprarola, Italy, is reported. The samples provide a difficult example for Raman spectroscopic characterization owing to the complexity of the biodeteriorated encrustation, which includes incorporated substratal material and lichen metabolic by-products. Some of the pigments used were identified and the potential of FT-Raman spectroscopy as a means of aiding conservation of such artistic artefacts was demonstrated. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.