Connecting the Ensemble: Integrated Technical Analysis and Heritage Science in the Study of Margarito d´Arezzo
Year: 2026
Authors: Grifoni E., Ambrogioni K., Belli E., Berretti L., Botteon A., Botticelli M., Bracci S., Buti D., Caliri C., Cartechini L., Municchia AC., Cavigli R., Cerasuolo A., Conti C., Costantino C., Dal Fovo A., Delaney JK., Di Tullio V., Dooley KA., Dunn J., Fontana R., Gualdani G., Hymery A., Howard H., Longo S., Luvidi L., Magrini D., Mandy K., Mattana S., Miliani C., Monico L., Morello M., Pavone DP., Peggie D., Paolino B., Pennati I., Piquy F., Raffaelli M., Ravan EL., Romani A., Riminesi C., Rosi F., Salvadori B., Santagati G., Vannini E.
Autors Affiliation: Natl Res Council CNR, Inst Heritage Sci ISPC, Florence, Italy; Politecn Milan, Energy Dept, Milan, Italy; Musei Nazl Siena, Siena, Italy; Museo Nazl Arte Medievale & Moderna, DRMN TOS MiC, Arezzo, Italy; Natl Res Council CNR, Inst Heritage Sci ISPC, Milan, Italy; Natl Res Council CNR, Inst Heritage Sci ISPC, Catania, Italy; Natl Res Council Italy CNR, Inst Chem Sci & Technol Giulio Natta SCITEC, Perugia, Italy; Natl Res Council CNR, Inst Heritage Sci ISPC, Rome, Italy; Natl Council Res CNR, Inst Heritage Sci ISPC, Naples, Italy; Univ Siena, Dept Hist & Cultural Heritage, Siena, It aly; Natl Res Council CNR, Natl Inst Opt INO, Florence, Italy; Natl Gallery Art, Washington, DC USA; Natl Gallery Art, Sci Dept, London, England; Soprintendenza Archeol Belle Arti & Paesaggio Prov, Arezzo, Grosseto, Italy; Univ Appl Sci & Arts Southern Switzerland SUPSI, Mendrisio, Switzerland; Univ Perugia, Dept Chem Biol & Biotechnol, Perugia, Italy; Univ Florence, Dept Phys & Astron, Florence, Italy.
Abstract: The collaborative research project on Margarito d’Arezzo and his workshop represents one of the most extensive and integrated technical studies ever conducted on a thirteenth-century Italian painter. An interdisciplinary team – comprising conservation scientists, art historians, conservators, and analytical chemists – worked collaboratively to investigate a group of panel paintings by this artist. The investigations were guided by visual examination and largely employed non-invasive analytical techniques. Occasionally, samples were collected to answer particular queries, following non-invasive investigations. The non-invasive multi-technique approach, combining hyperspectral reflectance imaging (VIS-NIR-SWIR), macro X-ray fluorescence (MA-XRF), macro X-ray diffraction (MA-XRD), high-resolution digital microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy, enabled a detailed characterisation of the materials used in the various panels. This integrated approach revealed a workshop practice characterised by remarkable technical consistency alongside creative variations adapted to different contexts and functions.
Journal/Review: STUDIES IN CONSERVATION
More Information: MOLAB access was granted by E-RIHS.it, the Italian national node of the European Research Infrastructure for Heritage Science, with financial support by MUR, Ministero dell’Universita e della Ricerca, FOE E-RIHS IT, and PON Ricerca e Innovazione 2014-2020 (CCI: 2014IT16M2OP005). In-kind support was provided by NGL, NGW, MNAMM, and SUPSI.KeyWords: Margarito d´Arezzo; multi-technique analysis; interdisciplinary approach; technical examination; technical study of an ensemble; thirteenth-century painting; workshop practicesDOI: 10.1080/00393630.2026.2678986
