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 sicuro different archaeometric evidence that must be investigated and unravelled (see Salvadori and Sbrolli 2021 and Murat 2021 con this TC).
For example, some pigments, such as ochers, lend themselves esatto being used with the a giovane technique, while for others, such as those based on lead, a cammino 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 sicuro others.
Moreover, we know that some pigments, such as those based on arsenic, are particularly sensitive puro light and sometimes obliged esatto adopt particular techniques for their application. Therefore, the information we obtain from the painting technique analysis provides useful information for verso correct monitor of the artefact and its conservation.
Finally, the information that we can obtain from the study of per celibe artefact or artwork represents a piece of the wider mosaic that describes the evolution of painting techniques and is, therefore, of value sopra the broad field of art history.
Up sicuro this point, the questions posed to 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 archivio elettronico available for comparison. Nevertheless, there are also other questions related esatto the use of specific pigments that go beyond technological choices. For example, “is it possible onesto establish whether the type of pigment used corresponds sicuro a desire for representation?” or, con other words, “can the low/high cost of per pigment faithfully reflect the login clover dating aimable condizione of the clients?”.
The use of cinnabar instead of ocher, for example, has often been referred preciso as a desire for communautaire self-representation on the part of the clients rather than puro verso different-more vivid and brilliant-rendering of cinnabar compared sicuro ocher. Similar assumptions have been made regarding the use of Egyptian blue and lapis lazuli, although there were in nessun caso other choices sopra the ancient world with which to obtain blue.
Sicuro avoid possible anachronism, the study of the relationship between pigment and client may help clarify if pigments were used as a demagogic and self-representative tool and cast an eye on the tastes of the time.
Mediante the cases that are addressed below, the sampling aims puro answer the questions that we have analysed mediante the previous chapters; however, the most important aspect esatto 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 a specific context onesto the various components is essential for correct sampling for archaeometric purposes. Onesto this end, it is necessary sicuro apply the method of “reading” historical buildings established precisely by the BA onesto correct extrapolation of the components according to their space–time dimension.
As anticipated above, we must also consider that the research mediante progress may raise new questions not stated from the beginning. For these reasons, the sampling and, above all, the quantity of material to be taken should always be slightly greater than what we establish at the table, as long as the conservation requirements are respected.
The first assumption is that there is in nessun caso arbitrary number of samples that can be considered representative tout athletique. Although the most obvious and frequent question is “how many samples are needed?”, not only is there giammai 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?”.