Characterization of the stucco decoration by Baldassarre Fontana in the Gallery of the Angels at Uhercice Castle (CZ)

0558905 - ÚTAM 2023 RIV NL eng J - Článek v odborném periodiku
Uccelli, M. - Caroselli, M. - Válek, Jan - Zapletalová, J. - Felici, A. - Nicoli, G. - Jean, G.
Characterization of the stucco decoration by Baldassarre Fontana in the Gallery of the Angels at Uhercice Castle (CZ).
Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports. Roč. 44, August (2022), č. článku 103493. ISSN 2352-409X
Institucionální podpora: RVO:68378297
Klíčová slova: stucco decoration * Baldassarre Fontana * gypsum * mortar petrography * radiographic technique * X-ray * computed tomography
Obor OECD: Materials engineering
Impakt faktor: 1.6, rok: 2022
Způsob publikování: Open access
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jasrep.2022.103493

This paper investigates of the materials and techniques, used by Baldassarre Fontana and his workshop, to create
the stuccoes of the Gallery of the Angels at Uherčice Castle (CZ) dated between 1692 and 1696, when the artist
was at the height of his career. So far, the stucco decoration has mainly been studied considering stylistic features,
and very little data is available on composition and material analysis. Currently, extensive restoration work
is in progress at the castle and in particular on its sumptuous decoration. Portion of stuccoes that were detached
in 1995 from the wooden ceiling for conservation reasons have provided a unique opportunity to study the
materials, the execution techniques, and their condition. One of the detached fragments, representing an eagle in
high relief surrounded by floral decoration in bas-relief, was scanned with X-ray and X-ray Computed Tomography
(CT) to observe its internal structure and the anchoring system that bound it to the ceiling. The three main
types of stucco work represented in the gallery (decorative plasterwork, bas-reliefs and high-reliefs), were
analysed using polarised light microscopy (PLM), scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersion spectroscopy
(SEM-EDS) and infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR).
Trvalý link: https://hdl.handle.net/11104/0332397