Multi-Analytical Investigation of the Oil Painting “ Il Venditore di Cerini ” by Antonio Mancini and Definition of the Best Green Cleaning Treatment

Andrea Macchia, Chiara Biribicchi, Paola Carnazza, Stefania Montorsi, Nausicaa Sangiorgi, Giuseppe Demasi, Fernanda Prestileo, Eleonora Cerafogli, Irene Angela Colasanti, Helene Aureli, Margherita Zappelli, Michela Ricca and Mauro Francesco La Russa
Additional contact information
Andrea Macchia: Department of Earth Sciences, University of Rome La Sapienza, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
Chiara Biribicchi: Department of Earth Sciences, University of Rome La Sapienza, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
Paola Carnazza: Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Moderna e Contemporanea, Viale delle Belle Arti 131, 00197 Rome, Italy
Stefania Montorsi: YOCOCU, Youth in Conservation of Cultural Heritage, Via T. Tasso 108, 00185 Rome, Italy
Nausicaa Sangiorgi: Independent Researcher, Via del Broaldo 6, 40064 Ozzano, Italy
Giuseppe Demasi: Independent Researcher, Via Arci 9, 02032 Fara In Sabina, Italy
Fernanda Prestileo: CNR-ISAC, Via Fosso del Cavaliere 100, 00133 Rome, Italy
Eleonora Cerafogli: YOCOCU, Youth in Conservation of Cultural Heritage, Via T. Tasso 108, 00185 Rome, Italy
Irene Angela Colasanti: YOCOCU, Youth in Conservation of Cultural Heritage, Via T. Tasso 108, 00185 Rome, Italy
Helene Aureli: YOCOCU, Youth in Conservation of Cultural Heritage, Via T. Tasso 108, 00185 Rome, Italy
Margherita Zappelli: YOCOCU, Youth in Conservation of Cultural Heritage, Via T. Tasso 108, 00185 Rome, Italy
Michela Ricca: Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Sciences (DiBEST), University of Calabria, Via Pietro Bucci, 87036 Arcavacata, Italy
Mauro Francesco La Russa: Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Sciences (DiBEST), University of Calabria, Via Pietro Bucci, 87036 Arcavacata, Italy

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 7, 1-19

Abstract: This paper describes the multi-analytical approach implemented for the study of the oil painting Il Venditore di Cerini made by Antonio Mancini in 1878. The research was carried out to characterize both the original stratigraphy and the alleged non-original varnish on the surface. SEM/EDS analysis showed the presence of pigments already detected in other paintings by Antonio Mancini. Multispectral imaging, DinoLite microscope, and FT-IR ATR spectroscopy revealed significant data regarding the invention of the “graticola” method—a technique implemented by Mancini to respect the proportions of the figures—also proving the presence of an aged layer of non-original shellac on the surface. The yellow/brownish tone of the varnish was hiding the real shapes of the figure, requiring a selective removal of the aged coating. The proposed cleaning systems were chosen among the green chemical alternatives present in the market, aiming at promoting a sustainable development in the Cultural Heritage field. The selection was made according to the Fd parameter of the cleaning systems—which defines the energy from dispersion forces between molecules—in relation to what is defined in the literature as the suitable Fd value for the removal of the shellac. The best-performing green cleaning system proved to be the Polar Varnish Rescue GEL—a gelled acetals mixture developed by YOCOCU APS—for its effectiveness in selectively remove the aged shellac while preserving the integrity of the original stratigraphy.

Keywords: green; conservation; sustainability; cultural heritage; Antonio Mancini; shellac; FTIR ATR; SEM/EDS; acetals; cleaning; surfactant (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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