TY - JOUR
T1 - The Colors in Medieval Illuminations through the Magnificent Scriptorium of Alfonso X, the Learned
AU - Vieira, Márcia
AU - Melo, Maria João
AU - Nabais, Paula
AU - Lopes, João A.
AU - Lopes, Graça Videira
AU - Fernández, Laura Fernández
N1 - info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/FCT/OE/SFRH%2FBD%2F148729%2F2019/PT#
info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/FCT/CEEC IND4ed/2021.01344.CEECIND%2FCP1657%2FCT0028/PT#
info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/FCT/3599-PPCDT/PTDC%2FLLT-EGL%2F30984%2F2017/PT#
info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/FCT/6817 - DCRRNI ID/UID%2FQUI%2F50006%2F2019/PT#
info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/FCT/6817 - DCRRNI ID/UIDB%2F50006%2F2020/PT#
Funding Information:
This research was founded by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology [Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia, Ministério da Educação e Ciência (FCT/MCTES)], co-financed by the ERDF under the PT2020 Partnership Agreement (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007265).
Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 by the authors.
PY - 2024/1/9
Y1 - 2024/1/9
N2 - This pioneering work studied the medieval color palette of four manuscripts produced in the scriptorium of Alfonso X, king of the Crown of Castile (r. 1252-84), including the Songs of Holy Mary (Cantigas de Santa Maria, in Rich Codex and Musicians’ Codex), Lapidary (Lapidario), and Book of Games (Libro de los juegos). Scientific analysis based on fiber-optics reflectance spectroscopy in the visible and Raman spectroscopy showed a color palette based on lapis lazuli, indigo, azurite, vermilion, red lead, orpiment, yellow ochre, two different greens (bottle green and vergaut), lead white, carbon-based black, and most importantly, brazilwood pinks, reds, and purples. So, it is now the first reported use of this lake pigment in European medieval manuscript illumination. The painting technique is also discussed. The diversity of colors and techniques, with the presence of lapis lazuli, brazilwood lake pigments, purple, and gold, demonstrates Alfonso X’s desire to produce sumptuous manuscripts.
AB - This pioneering work studied the medieval color palette of four manuscripts produced in the scriptorium of Alfonso X, king of the Crown of Castile (r. 1252-84), including the Songs of Holy Mary (Cantigas de Santa Maria, in Rich Codex and Musicians’ Codex), Lapidary (Lapidario), and Book of Games (Libro de los juegos). Scientific analysis based on fiber-optics reflectance spectroscopy in the visible and Raman spectroscopy showed a color palette based on lapis lazuli, indigo, azurite, vermilion, red lead, orpiment, yellow ochre, two different greens (bottle green and vergaut), lead white, carbon-based black, and most importantly, brazilwood pinks, reds, and purples. So, it is now the first reported use of this lake pigment in European medieval manuscript illumination. The painting technique is also discussed. The diversity of colors and techniques, with the presence of lapis lazuli, brazilwood lake pigments, purple, and gold, demonstrates Alfonso X’s desire to produce sumptuous manuscripts.
KW - Ajuda Songbook
KW - Alfonsi manuscripts
KW - brazilwood lake pigments
KW - color palette
KW - medieval illuminated manuscripts
KW - painting technique
KW - Songs of Holy Mary
KW - spectroscopic analysis
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85183203628&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3390/heritage7010014
DO - 10.3390/heritage7010014
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85183203628
SN - 2571-9408
VL - 7
SP - 272
EP - 300
JO - Heritage
JF - Heritage
IS - 1
ER -