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Biodegradation assessment of a 16th century fresco from Southern Portugal

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 August 2009

R. Martins ,
S. Fialho ,
M. Lima ,
D. Tavares ,
J. Mirão ,
S. Valadas  and
A. E. Candeias
R. Martins
Affiliation:
Chemistry Department and Mediterranean and Agricultural Sciences Institute, Universidade de Évora, Rua Romão Ramalho 59, 7000-676 Évora, Portugal
S. Fialho
Affiliation:
Chemistry Department and Mediterranean and Agricultural Sciences Institute, Universidade de Évora, Rua Romão Ramalho 59, 7000-676 Évora, Portugal
M. Lima
Affiliation:
Biology Department, Universidade de Évora, Rua Romão Ramalho 59, 7000-676 Évora, Portugal
D. Tavares
Affiliation:
Alentejo Regional Direction of Culture, Rua de Burgos 5, 7000-863 Évora, Portugal
J. Mirão
Affiliation:
Geosciences Department and Évora Geophysics Centre, Universidade de Évora, Rua Romão Ramalho 59, 7000-676 Évora, Portugal
S. Valadas
Affiliation:
Chemistry Department and Évora Chemistry Centre, Universidade de Évora, Rua Romão Ramalho 59, 7000-676 Évora, Portugal
A. E. Candeias
Affiliation:
Chemistry Department and Évora Chemistry Centre, Universidade de Évora, Rua Romão Ramalho 59, 7000-676 Évora, Portugal

Abstract

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This work reports the study of the frescoes from the Casa de Fresco dos Sanches Baena in Vila Viçosa (Southeast Portugal) to allow their material characterisation, to identify the different microorganism populations and to assess their role in the deterioration of these paintings. The Casa de Fresco dos Sanches Baena is a small semi-underground building constructed in a Palace garden over a well and used as a cool refreshing place by the owners. The frescoes that cover the ceilings (composed of 4 panels) present rich mythological scenes and have other decorative elements, which make them an unusual example of this art form. Unfortunately, due to partial abandonment the paintings are in an advanced state of degradation exhibiting partial detachment of paint layers and mortars, salt efflorescences and abundant biological colonisations (Fig.1).

Type
Materials Sciences
Information
Microscopy and Microanalysis , Volume 15 , Supplement S3 , July 2009 , pp. 65 - 66
Copyright
Copyright © Microscopy Society of America 2009