Browsing by Author "Vieira, E."
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- Analytical characterization of copper-based metal sculptures in Portugal in 1880-1990: the artwork of Soares dos ReisPublication . General-Toro, P.; Bottaini, C.; Bordalo, R.; Nocco, C.; Brunetti, A.; Carvalho, S.; Moreira, P.; Vieira, E.António Soares dos Reis (1847-1889) is considered one of the most important Portuguese sculptors of the 19th century. His work marked the end of Portuguese Romanticism and the beginning of Naturalism. Due to his premature death, his artistic production can be considered modest but of the highest technical quality. Since the sculptor did not leave documents that can help to the understanding of his artistic creative process the main sources are the artworks. Although it is currently possible to find a significant amount of his artwork in bronze, the number of metal casts made during the artist's life is very limited. Accordingly, there are only a few sculptures in bronze made during his lifetime. Instead most of his bronze sculptures, the major part displayed both in museums and outdoors, dates from the 20th century, spanning from the first decades to the 1990s. The study, supported by the Portuguese ERIHS.PT platform, focused on six sculptures using an integrated multi-analytical approach combining by Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence analysis (EDXRF), Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), Raman and FTIR spectroscopy to characterize the sculptures with the aim to determine their elemental composition and technological features. Also, a Monte-Carlo approach was used to further a non-destructive study of the metal layers. The main results of this study allowed to obtain the characterization of the bulk metal and its patina and to distinguish the corrosion patterns from internal and external environments. This study will also enable to get a deeper knowledge on evolution of the Portuguese art foundry industry, namely materials, and technical changes between the late 19th century and the 20thcentury.
- Attempts in enzymatic degradation of the pigmentation produced by fungi isolated from Portuguese wall paintingsPublication . Marco, A.; Moreira, P. R.; Pintado, M.; Vieira, E.Wall paintings are prone to different types of deterioration, including of biological origin. Our study focuses on the chromatic alterations of the paintings’ surfaces related to the presence and growth of microorganisms. The removal of the dark coloured stains from wall paintings is extremely difficult. Although treatment with biocides can eliminate microorganisms, these compounds are ineffective in cleaning the black pigmentation resulting of their growth. Therefore, it is necessary to understand which organisms are present, the characteristics of the compounds they generate, and in which conditions they produce it. The aim of this study was to isolate the pigment that is the source of the black stains in the studied wall paintings in order to, in a broader scope, eliminate or attenuate their visual impact. Wall paintings presenting black stains from three case studies – Igreja de Santa Eulália/Igreja de São Salvador de Arnoso (V.N. Famalicão), Igreja Paroquial de Valadares (Baião) and Igreja de Santa Cristina de Serzedelo (Guimarães) were dully studied from the conservation point of view. Fungi were isolated from selected areas that displayed dark pigmentation of the pictorial layer. Samples were collected with wet swabs and grown on solid culture medium, e.g. Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA). Isolates were further identified by classical and molecular biology methodologies. Three fungal isolates were selected for further studies due to their pigmentation and growth characteristics, mainly: blackening of solid culture media, dark or black hyphae growth, or a presence of black exudates produced by colourless hyphae. Enzymatic degradation of pigmentation resulting from a selected fungal isolates was attempted both in solution and on solid support and tested with fungal versatile peroxidase from Bjerkandera adusta. Changes in colour were detected by UV-Vis spectrophotometry and with a CIE L*a*b system colorimeter.
- Damages caused by pressure sensitive tapes on paper artworks from the early 20th centuryPublication . Machado, A.; Vieira, E.; Fuente, G.; Rodrigues, P.; Ferreira, T.The use of pressure sensitive tapes (PST) on paper documents and artworks represents one of the most complex issues for the conservation and restoration fields. This paper presents and discusses some examples of damages caused by the PST presence on a 20th century drawing collection from Fábrica Constância, nowadays belonging to the National Museum of Azulejo (MNAz). This work constitutes a first step towards a systematic identification and classification of damage caused by PST use on Fábrica Constância drawing’s collection.
- Esculturas de Soares dos Reis: análise de características metálicas e corrosão para a preservação artística em ligas de cobrePublication . General-Toro, P.; Bottaini, C.; Bordalo, R.; Moreira, P.; Vieira, E.As esculturas de António Soares dos Reis (1847-1889) representam um acervo inestimável no contexto do património escultórico português do século XIX. No entanto, as suas obras em metal nunca tinham sido estudadas desde o ponto de vista analítico. A degradação de obras esculturais metálicas, causada por fatores intrínsecos e ambientais (impulsionados pelas alterações climáticas), torna necessário o estudo do metal utilizado nas esculturas, bem como as pátinas artificiais e naturais que surgem na superfície. Um estudo analítico de treze esculturas de Soares dos Reis, executado pelo Laboratório HERCULES, permitiu determinar a composição do metal e a tecnologia e práticas de fundição portuguesa, assim como o tipo de corrosão que sofrem estas obras. Os resultados possibilitam estabelecer estratégias de conservação e salvaguarda para melhor proteger este importante patrimônio, não apenas nas obras de Soares do Reis, mas para a escultura em metal em geral.
- Unveiling the simulacri corpus sanctae: the case study of Saint Aurelius Martyr (Oporto, Portugal)Publication . Palmeirão, J.; Ferreira, T.; Afonso, J. F.; Vieira, E.The post-Tridentine Church promoted the cult of the martyrs’ relics exhumed from the Roman catacombs by exhibiting them to the veneration of the faithful in life-sized sumptuous reliquary-images (simulacri corpus sanctae). They functioned as powerful ways of dissemination of the Catholic faith and a mean of fighting Protestantism. During three centuries, the cult of the catacomb saints or holy bodies (corpi santi) spread throughout the Christian world. In recent years, a relatively large number of studies regarding the catacomb saints and their full body reliquaries (simulacra) have emerged on publications, oral presentations, and academic research. Despite being a promising topic receiving increasing attention, these reliquaries are still largely unknown in most countries, including Portugal. An overview of the first scientific approach performed on historic textiles, the skeletal remains, and the constructive system of the 18th century reliquary of Saint Aurelius Martyr from Oporto’s cathedral is presented.