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This study aims at the evaluation of the conservation state of painted paper ceilings in the museum of Casa Romei (Ferrara). These ceilings are very important as rare witnesses of the art in Ferrara in 1400 to simulate wooden ceilings through painted paper. The overall project, proposed for the study of both the manufacture techniques and the state of conservation, is divided into two stages relative to the knowledge of the materials and the conservation environment. The study involves the artefacts control (diagnostic, materials and products characterisation through biological and chemical analyses) and microclimate monitoring.

AG About Gender - Rivista internazionale di studi di genere, V. 3, N. 6 (2014): Verso una conciliazione condivisa? Lavoro, famiglie e vita privata in un orizzonte di crisi

An analysis of biodeterioration on different kind of materials.

Wooden support: constituent materials, state of conservation, treatment of restoration and evaluation of their effectiveness.

The aim of this is research is the evaluation of the state of conservation of the coffered ceiling covered by the woodcut paper in the so-called “Studiolo” of Casa Romei, Renaissance residence in Ferrara. An historical investigation was conducted about the origin and the history of the room. Besides, materials and products of the artefact were characterised through diagnostic techniques and chemico-biological analyses. Finally, an annual campaign was conducted to monitor the thermo-hygrometric conditions in order to understand the possible interactions between the artefact and its environment. The ceiling, probably realised between about 1442 and 1453, represents an unique example in Italy of a decoration applied through xylography on paper of particular artistic value. The coffered ceiling is decorated with woodcut paper showing four harpy around a central rosette, directly glued on the wooden support. Diagnostic techniques were applied in situ in order to examine this precious work of art: visible and infrared photography, videomicroscopy with image analyser, infrared reflectography, colorimetry, portable X-Ray Fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF). On some collected samples, accurately chosen after having examined the results of the above mentioned non-destructive investigations, the chemico-biological analyses were performed by means of stereomicroscopy, microbiological investigations, ultraviolet microscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy with microanalysis (SEM-EDS) and Fourier Transform Infra Red spectrometry (FTIR). Potable thermo-hygrometers were employed for the annual campaign of measurements of temperature and relative humidity, whose values were compared with the prescriptions of the Italian norms UNI.

Questo studio ha permesso di identificare le principali cause di deterioramento dei materiali impiegati per le mura della città-fortezza di Terra del Sole (Forlì, Italia), costruita nel sedicesimo secolo, allo scopo di ottenere importanti informazioni, utili per una corretta metodologia di restauro. Campioni di mattoni e malte, provenienti da ben localizzate posizioni delle mura, sono stati caratterizzati tramite analisi chimiche, mineralogiche, termiche e porosimetriche. L’osservazione al SEM della morfologia superficiale dei campioni e lo studio delle specie biologiche che crescono sulle mura hanno permesso di valutare il livello di degrado del monumento. Il biodegrado è la causa principale di deterioramento delle mura, ma anche la tessitura porosa dei mattoni cotti a temperature relativamente basse ha contribuito ad accrescere i problemi di conservazione.

The research complements the complex study carried out to understand the source of brown discolourations of ten marble statues in the Church of Orsanmichele in Florence, Italy. Originally located in exterior niches, the statues were restored to reverse the extensive alterations they had undergone throughout the centuries. One of the major alterations was the application of a dark brown patina that dated just after 1789. After the statues were placed indoors, brownish discolourations started to appear on their surfaces. Cross sections were examined using FTIR mapping and immunological methods. In parallel, the pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (py-GC/MS) data already obtained from the statues' scrapings were compared with data from aged casein films applied to microscope glass slides and aged milk-treated marble. All the statues had been treated with milk-based substances before the time the bronze patina was applied. The values of temperature and illumination of the room were important factors in the ageing of organic substances and in the formation of calcium oxalates. It is likely that products of thermo-oxidation and photo-oxidation of the oils together with the oxalates caused the darkening. The marble samples corresponded to a Lunense provenance.