The Painted Angels from the central drum of Convent of Christ Rotunda in Tomar - first results of the material and technical comparative study

A comparative analysis of artificial yellow pigments used in the 15th-century paintings of the Convent of Christ's Rotunda in Tomar, Portugal, reveals distinct differences in stoichiometric ratios, melting temperatures, and color hue among lead-tin yellow (type I and II), lead antimonate yellow, and lead-tin-antimony yellow. The study employed micro-Raman spectroscopy alongside X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy, and differential thermal analysis to characterize these pigments under varying experimental conditions. Findings highlight correlations between chemical composition, melting processes, and the resulting color properties, offering new insights into the material techniques of Renaissance artists.

Gil, M., Pestana, A., Miguel, C., Manhita, A., Dias, L., Cardoso, A., Mirão, J., & Candeias, A. (2015). The Painted Angels from the central drum of Convent of Christ Rotunda in Tomar - first results of the material and technical comparative study. E-Conservation Journal, 4. https://doi.org/10.18236/econs4.201510