Systematic study of wall painting of the twelfth century from the Christ’s Transfiguration Cathedral of the Mirozhsky Monastery in Pskov (Russia) by complementary physico-chemical methods

A systematic analysis of twelfth-century wall paintings from the Christ's Transfiguration Cathedral in Pskov, Russia, reveals insights into pre-Mongolian artistic techniques and material composition. Using a combination of portable X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy and six advanced laboratory methods—including neutron activation analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and micro-Raman spectroscopy—the study identified the pigments used, determined the number of painting layers, and assessed the presence or absence of organic binders. The research also distinguished between original twelfth-century paintings and later repaintings, providing critical data for conservation efforts at this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Philippova, O. S., Grebenshchikova, A. B., Dmitriev, A. Yu., & Lennik, S. G. (2023). Systematic study of wall painting of the twelfth century from the Christ’s Transfiguration Cathedral of the Mirozhsky Monastery in Pskov (Russia) by complementary physico-chemical methods. Heritage Science, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40494-023-00955-y