The present paper focus on an interdisciplinary research of Cultural Heritage concerning
the microanalysis of Gothic mural paintings made during the 15th century in Slovenia.
The samples were chosen from the churches of Crngrob (1453), Mirna (1463-65),
MevkuG (1465) and MaHe (1467), attributed to two of the most important Gothic
painters of that period of time: Master Bolfgang and Master of MaHe. The chemical and
phase composition of all the mortars was of interest, the number of their layers and the
selection of the pigments. For this purpose, fragments of mural paintings were studied
with several instrumental techniques: OM, SEM-EDX, XRD and FTIR. In early
artworks, the mortar was made using a mixture of lime and more or less clean sand.
Later, crushed lime-rock or marble instead of sand was added to lime. The pigments
identified by EDX microanalysis of cross-sections previously studied by OM, are of
earth or mineral origen. Therefore, they are durable in fresco and lime technique: lime
white, yellow and red natural or burned ochres, green earth and azurite. The results
confirmed the high technical quality of both painters and the relationships between the
teacher and the disciple. Master Bolfgang and Master of MaHe combine three basic
techniques of mural painting: a fresco, a secco and lime technique. This kind of
investigation and methodology allow us to know better the Central European Art and
the Slovenian Art in the Adriatic zone, as well as the general map of European Art in
the 14-15 centuries.
Peer reviewed