Pigments and Organic Binders in the Wall Paintings of Chapel “St. Nikolay” in Rila Monastery Catholicon, Bulgaria

A comprehensive analysis of the wall paintings in Chapel 'St. Nikolay' at Rila Monastery's Catholicon reveals the use of traditional pigments and organic binders, providing insights into medieval art techniques in Bulgaria. The study identified a range of minerals such as lapis lazuli, malachite, and hematite, alongside plant-based resins like mastic and dammar, highlighting the advanced craftsmanship and materials used by 19th-century artists. Researchers employed non-invasive analytical methods, including Raman spectroscopy and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, to examine the pigments and binders without damaging the original artwork. This findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the conservation challenges and historical significance of Rila Monastery's cultural heritage.

Yancheva, D., Tapanov, S., Anastasova, N., Velcheva, E., Stoyanov, S., & Stamboliyska, B. (2019). Pigments and Organic Binders in the Wall Paintings of Chapel “St. Nikolay” in Rila Monastery Catholicon, Bulgaria (, Ed.). “Prof. Marin Drinov” Publishing House of Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. https://doi.org/10.7546/crabs.2019.11.03