Spectroscopic analysis of pigments of the Antonello Gagini annunciation's sculputural marble group, church of St. Theodore Martyr (Bagaladi, reggio Calabria): case study

This study is focused on the compositional and structural analysis of ancient gilts of the famous renaissance artist Antonello Gagini Annunciation’s sculptural group, made in 1504 AD and now preserved in the church of St. Theodore martyr in Bagaladi, Reggio Calabria, Italy. For this purpose, a combination of spectroscopic techniques was employed. X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spec- troscopy was used for the quantitative elemental analysis of the investigated samples. In order to identify their crystalline mineral components and to study their microstructure, Raman Scattering (RS) measure- ments were carried out. The chemical composition of the investigated samples allowed to identify elements and compounds, closely related to the sample preparation and preservation, with the aim to improve the knowledge of the gilding on stone materials in the late Renaissance and in order to suggest to restorers the best interventions to minimize the conservation problems that could affect the durability of the precious artefact.