Preliminary findings from a non-invasive and micro-invasive multi-analytical study of the painting “Posa della Prima Pietra” by Ismaele Teglio Milla (1853)

Paola Fermo, Valeria Comite, Chiara Andrea Lombardi, Mattia Borelli, Andrea Bergomi, Giulia Galli, Gianluca Carabelli, Daniele Bolleri, Letizia Bonizzoni, Francesca Sabatini
Abstract:
A preliminary investigation into the painting technique and colour palette used in the “Posa della Prima Pietra” canvas by Ismaele Teglio Milla (1853) was carried out in this study. The main goal was to evaluate the presence of preparatory drawings or pentimenti and to spectroscopically characterize the materials used in the artwork. For these purposes, a micro- and non-invasive multi-analytical approach was employed using the following techniques: Multi-Spectral Imaging (MSI), portable X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF), Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier-Transform Infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) and Visible Reflectance Spectroscopy (Vis-RS). The results highlighted several pentimenti and other changes made by the artist, along with the identification of most of the colour palette and the components of the preparatory layer.
Download:
IMEKO-Metroarchaeo-2025-146.pdf
DOI:
10.21014/tc26-2025.146
Event details
IMEKO TC:
TC26
Event name:
TC26 MetroArcheo Conference 2025
Title:

Metrology for Archaeology and Cultural Heritage

Place:
Bergamo, ITALY
Time:
15 October 2025 - 17 October 2025