12–14th century fresco fragments from archaeological excavations in Serbia

A detailed analysis of 12–14th century fresco fragments from Serbian monasteries, including Studenica Monastery and others associated with the Nemanjić dynasty, reveals a consistent use of natural earth pigments, supplemented with cinnabar or lead oxide for red hues. The study, employing portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF), Raman spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (SEM/EDS), identified lapis lazuli blue pigment in some samples, along with carbon-based black and calcite white pigments. These findings shed light on the evolution of fresco techniques over time and their potential connection to ancient Ermineias, providing insights into the artistic and material practices of medieval Serbia.

Marić, S. M., Zečević, E., Popović, B., Bajuk-Bogdanović, D., & Holclajtner-Antunović, I. (2025). 12–14th century fresco fragments from archaeological excavations in Serbia. Architectural Archeology, (6). https://doi.org/10.25681/iaras.2024.978-5-94375-455-5.95-108