An integrated approach to the conservation of two Mariano Rossi paintings (18th) in Palazzo Alliata di Villafranca, Palermo

Abstract

Objects of this study are two Mariano Rossi paintings, dating from the 18th century, representing Adoration of the Magi and Nativity of Jesus (Figure) and belonging to Palazzo Alliata di Villafranca of Palermo. The scientific investigation of the techniques employed by the artist, such as composition of the paints, color palette, and painting style represents a fundamental pre-requisite in order to develop proper conservation and restoration strategies. In this context, the combined use of nondestructive, non-invasive (multispectral investigations) and micro-invasive techniques (SEM-EDS and FT-IR Spectroscopy) was here successfully employed for the investigation of the XVIII century paintings. From the results, details of the artwork useful for restoration and conservation procedures were revealed. The identification of most of the artist's palette was also achieved, as well the composition of different preparatory substrates. The obtained results, other than constituting a crucial step for future restoration works, can be at the same time useful for characterizing and comparing with all Mariano Rossi production. Eventually all data obtained in this study, coupled with a full photographic and graphic documentation of all the frames, have been entered in a properly designed technical data file. This record acts both as the starting (the cognitive tool) and ending (the recording method) point of the research work.