Understanding “how was the pigment applied?” and/or “how was the surface prepared?” means investigating the link between the pigment and its support. Each technique corresponds to different archaeometric evidence that must be investigated and unravelled (see Salvadori and Sbrolli 2021 and Murat 2021 in this TC).
For example, some pigments, such as ochers, lend themselves puro being used with the per giovane technique, while for others, such as those based on lead, per appassito technique is preferred. Therefore, investigating the painting technique means investigating the palette and technique of the painter and verifying the appropriateness and effectiveness of some techniques compared preciso others.
Moreover, we know that some pigments, such as those based on arsenic, are particularly affective onesto light and sometimes obliged sicuro adopt particular techniques for their application. Therefore, the information we obtain from the painting technique analysis provides useful information for per correct monitor of the artefact and its conservation.
Finally, the information that we can obtain from the study of a celibe artefact or artwork represents a piece of the wider mosaic that describes the evolution of painting techniques and is, therefore, of value mediante the broad field of art history.
Up preciso this point, the questions posed onesto pigments are all technical. As we have seen, the answer we can get depends largely on the composition of the pigment itself and the quality of the database available for comparison. Nevertheless, there are also other questions related to the use of specific pigments that go beyond technological choices. For example, “is it possible puro establish whether the type of pigment used corresponds preciso per desire for representation?” or, con other words, “can the low/high cost of verso pigment faithfully reflect the agreable condizione of the clients?”.
The use of cinnabar instead of ocher, for example, has often been referred puro as verso desire for accommodant self-representation on the part of the clients rather than puro verso different-more vivid and brilliant-rendering of cinnabar compared esatto ocher. Similar assumptions have been made regarding the use of Egyptian blue and lapis lazuli, although there were niente affatto other choices in the ancient world with which onesto obtain blue.
Onesto avoid possible anachronism, the study of the relationship between pigment and client may help clarify if pigments were used coupon cuddli as verso demagogic and self-representative tool and cast an eye on the tastes of the time.
Sampling criteria and methods
In the cases that are addressed below, the sampling aims onesto answer the questions that we have analysed per the previous chapters; however, the most important aspect to keep con mind concerns contextualisation.
Mortars, plasters and pigments constitute per complex system of structural and aesthetic importance that must be contextualised within the various phases of per historic building. Attributing per specific context preciso the various components is essential for correct sampling for archaeometric purposes. Sicuro this end, it is necessary preciso apply the method of “reading” historical buildings established precisely by the BA preciso correct extrapolation of the components according sicuro their space–time dimension.
As anticipated above, we must also consider that the research in progress may raise new questions not stated from the beginning. For these reasons, the sampling and, above all, the quantity of material onesto be taken should always be slightly greater than what we establish at the table, as long as the conservation requirements are respected.
How puro obtain verso representative sample batteria of mortars and plasters
The first assumption is that there is mai arbitrary number of samples that can be considered representative tout trapu. Although the most obvious and frequent question is “how many samples are needed?”, not only is there no straightforward answer but it is worth bypassing this question with another type of question: “what samples are needed and from where should they be taken?”.