A scientific approach to the characterisation of the painting technique of an author : the case of Raffaele Rinaldi

During the last restoration of the six paintings by Raffaele Rinaldi (1851-1916), located in the church of Maria SS. Annunziata (Marano Principato, Cosenza, Italy), made between 1890 and 1903, several scientific investigations were carried out on them. The present work aims at classifying the painting in terms of its materials and technical particularities. The goal of this study was to characterise the painting technique of the painter, its evolution and possible additions made during previous restorations. Pigments, binder media and raw materials used for the application of the ground and the paint layers were studied using electronic microscopy equipped with energy dispersive spectroscopy qualitative microanalysis (SEM-EDS), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Furthermore, a complete analysis of the state of preservation of these paintings represents a scientific aid and guide for its restoration, taking into account the severe damage not exclusively due to natural decay processes. Our data can provide information about historical and stylistic background as well as advise for correct planning of the cleaning procedures. The identification of materials allowed a correct restoration.