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Palaeoproteomic Profiling of Conservation Layers on a 14th Century Italian Wall Painting
Author(s) -
Mackie Meaghan,
Rüther Patrick,
Samodova Diana,
Di Gianvincenzo Fabiana,
Granzotto Clara,
Lyon David,
Peggie David A.,
Howard Helen,
Harrison Lynne,
Jensen Lars Juhl,
Olsen Jesper V.,
Cappellini Enrico
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
angewandte chemie
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1521-3757
pISSN - 0044-8249
DOI - 10.1002/ange.201713020
Subject(s) - painting , chemistry , fourier transform infrared spectroscopy , glycation , glue , mass spectrometry , chromatography , materials science , biochemistry , art , chemical engineering , art history , composite material , receptor , engineering
Ahead of display, a non‐original layer was observed on the surface of a fragment of a wall painting by Ambrogio Lorenzetti (active 1319, died 1348/9). FTIR analysis suggested proteinaceous content. Mass spectrometry was used to better characterise this layer and revealed two protein components: sheep and cow glue and chicken and duck egg white. Analysis of post‐translational modifications detected several photo‐oxidation products, which suggest that the egg experienced prolonged exposure to UV light and was likely applied long before the glue layer. Additionally, glycation products detected may indicate naturally occurring glycoprotein degradation or reaction with a carbohydrate material such as starch, identified by ATR‐FTIR in a cross‐section of a sample taken from the painting. Palaeoproteomics is shown to provide detailed characterisation of organic layers associated with mural paintings and therefore aids reconstruction of the conservation history of these objects.