A research team led by Pratt Institute researcher Eleonora Del Federico has used a novel imaging technique, called high-resolution portable Macro-XRF scanning, to study a highly degraded portrait of an ancient Roman woman, still on site in its original setting — at the ‘House of the Mosaic Atrium’ in the ancient city of Herculaneum, Italy.
An iron element map (right) made with new X-ray technology reveals the underlying craftsmanship hidden beneath a damaged portrait of a Roman woman (left). Image credit: Roberto Alberti.
Herculaneum, an ancient Roman resort town near modern-day Naples, was destroyed during an eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE, the same eruption that covered nearby Pompeii.
For centuries, the ancient city was buried under 66 feet of volcanic material, which helped preserve much of the artwork in the city. Ironically, it was only when Herculaneum was rediscovered and excavation began in the mid-19th century that many of the paintings, frescos and statues started to deteriorate.
The portrait of the young woman, for instance, was only excavated about 70 years ago.
“When it was first uncovered, the image was probably stunning. But just a few decades of exposure to the elements has wrought incalculable damage to it,” Dr. Del Federico said.
In one of the first-of-its-kind field studies, Dr. Del Federico and colleagues used a portable macro X-ray fluorescence instrument to scan and analyze the painting.
This instrument allows scientists to non-invasively analyze a painting without having to move it or have the device come into contact with the artwork. It can produce maps of the elements, such as iron, lead and copper, in the painting.
“Wall paintings at Herculaneum are in a state of accelerated decay and information on the materials and techniques used are key for the development of proper conservation treatments to preserve them,” the researchers explained.
The analysis revealed that the artist had sketched the young woman with an iron-based pigment and then highlighted around her eyes with a lead pigment.
High levels of potassium in her cheeks suggested that green earth pigment was used as an underpainting to help create a ‘flesh’ color. But the analysis also revealed much more.
“The portrayed woman was most likely a dweller of the household, as it was customary for Romans to display portraits of family members,” the authors said.
“Most portraits, however, were sculptures rather than paintings, making this portrait precious, as not many have survived.”
“This young woman is gone forever, but our study has revealed in remarkable detail her humanity, her thoughtful expression and her beauty,” Dr. Del Federico added.
The researchers reported their results yesterday at the 254th National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society in Washington, DC.
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Eleonora Del Federico et al. 2017. Portrait of an ancient woman revealed by high resolution portable macro-XRF scanning. 254th ACS National Meeting & Exposition, abstract # 228
