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The Tomb of the Three Brothers in Palmyra: The Use of Mimetite, A Rare Yellow Pigment, in A Rich Decoration
Author(s) -
Buisson N.,
Burlot D.,
Eristov H.,
Eveno M.,
Sarkis N.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
archaeometry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.716
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1475-4754
pISSN - 0003-813X
DOI - 10.1111/arcm.12087
Subject(s) - palette (painting) , art , pigment , painting , iconography , fresco , archaeology , ancient history , art history , visual arts , geography , history
The wall paintings of the Tomb of the Three Brothers in Palmyra display a very rich Greco‐Roman iconography. The study of the painting reveals the use of a great variety of pigments, including Egyptian blue and an extremely rare bright yellow pigment, mimetite, of which no other traces are known for this period. This pigment was identified through the combined use of two methods of analysis, scanning electron microscopy associated with X‐ray microanalysis (SEM–EDS) and X‐ray micro‐diffraction (XRD). The varied chromatic palette used underlines the refinement and the particular care given to these decorations. Notable differences have been found between the pigments of the decorations of the arch and those used for the rest of the chamber.