http://hdl.handle.net/10174/14486 Tue, 09 Jun 2026 17:00:23 GMT 2026-06-09T17:00:23Z http://hdl.handle.net/10174/42130 Title: Dendrochronological study of Van Goyen´s panels and preliminary study of its painting technique Authors: Lauw, Alexandra; Valadas, Sara; Mayer, Maria; Santos, Dóris; Telles, Patrícia; Candeias, António; Antunes, Vanessa Abstract: This research employs a comprehensive methodology integrating dendrochronology, and the technical and material study of the painting´s pigments, and stratigraphy to further enhance our understanding of materials and techniques of the Dutch landscape painter of the seventeenth century, Jan van Goyen (1596–1656). The scientific examination of the eight panels housed in Medeiros e Almeida Museum (Portugal, Lisbon) aims to identify the wooden panels utilized by Van Goyen’s workshop, exploring their assembly techniques and dates. Additionally, the integrated in situ approach also encompasses visible standard light photography, infrared reflectography and ultraviolet fluorescence photography imaging techniques and chemical analysis by energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence and 2D macro-energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence. The scientific results from the Village Scene, the earlier work known by Van Goyen in the collection, dated 1623, revealed that the artist executed an expressive underdrawing to set out the painting composition and applied a rich palette in the artistic expression, based on lead white, lead tin yellow, smalt blue, ochres, vermillion and a copper green pigment. This ongoing research provides a unique perspective on the relationship between materials and artistic intent in Van Goyen’s work, offering valuable insights into the broader cultural and historical context of Dutch painting of the period. Sun, 17 Aug 2025 23:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10174/42130 2025-08-17T23:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10174/42116 Title: From a Point to the Grid: In Situ Raman Spectroscopy of Selected Paintings From the Collection of the National Gallery-Alexandros Soutsos Museum, Athens, Greece Authors: Rousaki, Anastasia; Vermeersch, Eva; Valadas, Sara; Bottura-Scardina, Silvia; Moutsatsou, Anna; Lycke, Sylvia; J. King, Andrew; Candeias, António; Vandenabeele, Peter; Kouloumpi, Eleni Abstract: Three paintings of Symeon Savvidis, one of Francesco Pige and one from Andreas Kriezis belonging to the permanent collection of the National Gallery-Alexandros Soutsos Museum located in Athens, Greece, were analysed in situ, during the museum's opening hours, by Raman spectroscopy, handheld x-ray fluorescence (hXRF) and hyperspectral imaging (UV-Vis- NIR HSI). Raman spectroscopy point analysis, performed on multiple points on the surface of the paintings, revealed the materials used by the artists. Additionally, micro-Raman maps were obtained from selected areas, for the distribution of the pigments to be revealed. This is one of the first testimonies of in situ Raman mapping of easel paintings, performed in a museum, during opening hours. Challenges on maintaining the focusing during the acquisition of the Raman maps are also underlined. Materials frequently identified via Raman spectroscopy were lead white (2PbCO3·Pb (OH)2), vermillion (HgS), ultramarine blue (Na6-10Al6 Si6O24S2-4), Prussian blue (KFeIII[FeII (CN)6]·xH2O or Fe4 III[FeII (CN)6]3·xH2O) with other components found complementing the palette of the artists (e.g., chrome yellow (PbCrO4), chrome orange (PbCrO4·Pb(OH)2, carbon-based black (C)). Sporadically and in different paintings, haematite (α-Fe2O3), strontium yellow (SrCrO4) and barium sulfate (BaSO4) were characterized. hXRF and UV-Vis- NIR HSI supported the information retrieved by both Raman instruments. Sat, 19 Apr 2025 23:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10174/42116 2025-04-19T23:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10174/42106 Title: Unravelling the mysteries of the fifteenth century ‘Saint Vincent Panels’ by combined in situ and micro-Raman spectroscopy Authors: Vermeersch, Eva; Rousaki, Anastasia; Lycke, Sylvia; Valadas, Sara; Glória Nascimento, Virgínia; Mendes, José; Oliveira, Rita; Campos, Susana; Caetano, Joaquim; Candeias, António; Vandenabeele, Peter Abstract: ‘The Saint Vincent panels’ are produced by the painter Nuno Gonçalves, and it is a fifteenth century polyptych consisting of six panels. The uniqueness of the work, together with the documentation scarcity about Nuno Gonçalves, highlights the importance of the research of characterizing the colour palette. Raman spectroscopy, both in situ and laboratory instrumentation, was used for this. The mobile Raman spectroscopy campaign is part of the multidisciplinary research project ‘Study, Conservation and Restoration of Saint Vincent Panels’. A mobile EZRaman-I dual Raman analyser (785 and 532 nm) was used during the opening hours of the museum to investigate the panels and their pigments. The polyptych was heavily varnished and as such, the 785 nm laser was preferred for the characterization. It proved to be efficient in characterizing most of the pigments: vermilion, lead tin yellow type I, lazurite, carbon black, gypsum, lead white and calcite were identified. Intervention areas were characterized by the presence of titanium dioxide. Only for a few colours (blue, pink/purple and green), identification with the 785 nm laser was ambiguous and additional characterization with the 532 nm laser was hampered by the strong fluorescing varnish. As a result, micro-samples of these regions were collected for further analysis with benchtop micro-Raman instrumentation. Next to the confirmation of the in situ results, azurite and copper resinate were identified. As such, the combination of both approaches was successful in unravelling the colour palette of the Saint Vincent panels. Sat, 08 Feb 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10174/42106 2025-02-08T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10174/42092 Title: Variability of lesions and lesion pattern in possible treponematosis cases: Insights from an archaeological site in Tomar, Portugal Authors: Curto, Ana; Fernandes, Teresa; Relvado, Cláudia; Ferro, Sónia; Lopes, Célia Abstract: Objective: This study aims to describe various types of skeletal lesions and lesion patterns observed in five potential cases of treponematosis from the same archaeological site. Material and methods: The study examines five adult skeletons recovered from Santa Maria do Olival, Tomar, Portugal. Macroscopic observations were conducted on all remains, supplemented by relevant radiographic investigations. Results: The analyzed individuals exhibited diverse types of skeletal lesions and distinct patterns of lesion distribution. Radiocarbon dating of two of these skeletons locates them chronologically close to the beginning of the colonial period (15th century). Discussion: The findings indicate considerable variation in the lesions and lesion patterns associated with treponematosis, even within the same archaeological site. The radiocarbon data implies the presence of pre-Columbian treponemal disease or a rapid progression to the tertiary phase of the disease. This study represents the oldest cases of treponematosis in Portugal and the only one with more than one individual affected from the same archaeological site. Considering Portugal’s prominent role in the European Age of Exploration, the study underscores the significance of pathogen exchanges between Europeans, South Americans, Africans, and Asians. Future investigations should reassess Iberian osteological collections from this time period, given the historical importance of Portugal and Spain in the intercontinental movements. Sat, 15 Feb 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10174/42092 2025-02-15T00:00:00Z