| Egyptian Journal of Archeological and Restoration Studies


EJARS (Established 2011)

Volume 9 ,issue 2 | Summer and Autumn 2019 | Pages : 129-140

STUDY OF THE PAINTED DOME OF THE CHURCH OF ARCHANGEL GABRIEL, CAIRO

Document Type: Original article

DOI: 10.21608/EJARS.2019.66982

pages: 129-140

Authors:
Beskhyroun, S. 1 ; Mahgoub, G. 1 ; El-Rifai, I. 2 ; Mahgoub. H. 3 ; Osticioli, I. 4 ; Nevin, A. 5 ; El-naggar, A. 1

1 Conservation dept., Faculty of Archaeology, Fayoum Univ., Fayoum, Egypt
2 Center for documentation of cultural and natural heritage (CULTNAT), Bibliotheca Alex., Egypt
3 Institute for sustainable heritage, Univ. College London (UCL), London, UK
4 Applied physics institute "NelloCarrara"-Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (IFAC-CNR), Florence, Italy
5 Photonics and nanotechnologies institute-Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (IFN-CNR), Milan, Italy

Abstract:
This study was carried out in preparation for the conservation of the oil painted dome of Archangel Gabriel church located at Haret El Saqqayeen in Abdeen (Cairo). Stratigraphic, chemical and environmental studies were conducted to examine the painting technique and to assess the conservation state of the dome. The dome was imaged using Multi-spectral imaging and samples were collected from representative areas. Cross-sections were investigated by the means of scanning electron microscopy coupled with dispersive energy of X-ray spectrometer (SEM-EDS) and stereo microscopy. Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC/MS) was employed for the identification of the paint medium. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and the colorimetric measurements were conducted for characterization the differences of hues between the original and non-original pigments. As a part of the study, the environment within the dome was measured with data loggers and gas sampling. The results showed that the painted dome dates back to two different periods. The older paintings were applied before 1907 and were covered by ground layers to be repainted in 1907. Non-professional over-painting and the uncontrolled indoor climate have a significant role in the deterioration phenomena of the dome.

Keywords:
Dome; Data loggers; Gas sampling; Multi-spectral imaging; Over paintings

Statistics :
Article views: 968
PDF Downloads: 741

Download PDF