Investigations of the Decorative Techniques and Conservation Condition of a Majolica Altar by Andrea della Robbia
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Investigations of the Decorative Techniques and Conservation Condition of a Majolica Altar by Andrea della Robbia Michela Ombelli1, Costanza Miliani2, Assunta Morresi3 1 Department of Anesthesia, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, U.S.A. 2 CNR Institute of Molecular Sciences and Technologies (ISTM), University of Perugia, Perugia I-06123, Italy 3 Department of Chemistry, University of Perugia, Perugia I-06123, Italy ABSTRACT A multi-disciplinary approach that involved chemical and microstructural characterization was used to aid technological interpretation and conservation condition evaluation and treatment of a della Robbia ceramic masterpiece. The majolica altar was manufactured by Andrea della Robbia in 1490 and has been preserved at St. Mary of the Angels in Assisi, Perugia, Italy. This study characterized the glaze and pigments used by the artist, and furthermore, presents information used to establish guidelines for restoration.
INTRODUCTION Ceramics are the first synthetic material created by mankind. They are found in almost all civilizations throughout the course of history and they have been considered to be a sort of fossil guide by archaeologists [1]. Starting in the nineteenth century, ancient pottery was analyzed chemically, but without modern, systematic problem formulation [2]. The scientific investigation of archaeological pottery involves study of mineralogy of the body, chemical analysis of the glaze and colored decorations, if present, as well as thermoluminescence dating and authentication or forensic analysis. In the last twenty years, an analytical approach to the study of these materials has been widely applied [3]. For example, Italian sherda from the Medieval and Renaissance periods have been studied in our laboratory utilizing both traditional physical methods and spectroscopic techniques [4-5], and a standard procedure has been developed that can be applied to each set of archaeological pottery samples. The use of some spectroscopic techniques can yield valuable information regarding the composition of the samples, especially if coupled with microscopic sampling. This approach was used to study a particular ceramic masterpiece, a majolica altar made by Andrea della Robbia, dated 1490 and conserved at St. Mary of the Angels in Assisi (Perugia, Italy). It represents the Crowning of the Virgin with St. Francis (showing the stigmata) and penitent St. Jerome beside [6]. In the altar step, the Annunciation, Nativity and Magis' Adoration are represented [6]. It has a modular structure, as is typical of della Robbia’s artworks. Vasari defined della Robbia’s work as ‘New and beautiful art’ [7]. It is new because the head of the artistic family, Luca della Robbia, combined the colorless ceramic sculptures, prized in ancient times, with the majolica tradition used by the local craftsmen. It is beautiful because of its particular shine and the very intense color of the decorations, which were immediately appreciated by the community. The sculptures also gained popularity
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