Attempts were made to restore original hues to murals executed with lead pigments: white and red. In both cases positive effects were obtained. The procedure was subsequentlys recorded. (translated by A. Rodzińska-Chojnowska)
The presbytery of the church of the Holy Virgin Mary in Cracow contains 119 stained glass panels which have survived from the last quarter of the fourteenth century. An examination of the objects has revealed that their poor condition is caused by the corrosion of the inner and outer sides of the glass as well as by improper earlier renovation. The recently completed treatment consisted of two stages: 1. cleaning the panels, which involved the removal of dirt and loose corrosion layers, fixing the painting layer, framing and installing isothermal glazing; 2. the removal of the outer corrosion crust from the glass, and the replacement of traces of previous incorrect renovation. This operation was conducted without dismantling the panels.
The examination of samples of paint material from the composition in question was conducted with the help of different physico-chemical methods. The pigments were analysed by means of microchemical, microscopic and spectral methods. The X-ray difraction method made it possible to determine variant I of the zinc-lear yellow hue, and infra-red absorption spectphotommetry conformed the presence of azurite. The spectral emmission analysis was implemented for the whole range of colours in the Gothic mural, and it was discovered that arsenic is present in the azurite, and zinc - in the natural Earth pigments. An analysis of samples of binders was conducted with thin-layer chromatography and absorption spectophotometry. It was found that binder used was casein. Chemical methods and microscopic observation of the ground provide information about the quanntitative composition of the binder, the filler and the hydraulic additives. (translated by A. Rodzińska-Chojnowska)
JavaScript is turned off in your web browser. Turn it on to take full advantage of this site, then refresh the page.