Micro-Raman spectroscopy, pyrolysis/gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py/GC/MS) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (CG/MS) were applied for the characterization of pigments and binders used in the wall paintings ascribed to the works of the prominent 19 th century Macedonian iconographer, Dicho Zograph. Among numerous works attributed to him, wall paintings from three churches in the Western part of the Republic of Macedonia have been selected for pigment and binder analysis.A rich palette of pigments, both natural/mineral and synthetic ones, were identified by micro-Raman spectroscopy. Organic material analysis evidenced the use of mixtures of proteinaceous materials (mainly animal glue and egg) with linseed oil and pine resin, while saccharide materials were excluded.

No abstract

The Aqueduct is one of the city landmarks of Skopje, Republic of North Macedonia. It was part of a water-supply system, with a total original length of about 10 km, while its surface remains are about 385 m long. The age of the Aqueduct is not known—several hypotheses place it to periods between the 6th and 16th centuries. Six mortar samples from different positions of the eastern façade were taken for radiocarbon (14C) dating. In order to extract only the carbon associated to the time of building, three strategies for sample preparation were used: (1) mechanical separation of lime lumps formed during mortar hardening (2) selection on the basis of particle size and the ability to suspend in water induced by ultrasonic shock, and (3) collection of two gas CO2 fractions produced from the same bulk in reaction with acid. Characterization of fractions was performed by isotopic carbon composition and FTIR-ATR analyses. The most plausible results were obtained from lime lump fractions that were dated in the timeframe of 15th to 17th century.

This work presents the first comprehensive study of the wall painting in the "St. George" church accomplished mainly by means of Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy using Diffuse Reflectance and Micro-Infrared method (FTIR/DRS/Micro-IR) and the other analytical techniques Optical microscopy (OM), X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Inductively Coupled Plasma -Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). The main research objective was characterization of the artistic palette and painting technique, but also determination of the degradation products and observed alterations to the wall painting. Additionally, the lime mortars (plaster and renders) located immediately behind the studied wall painting were analyzed. The analysis demonstrated that mainly natural/mineral pigments were used in the artwork and the majority of painting was executed in combination of fresco and lime-painting technique. The major risk factor in the painting deterioration was found to be the salt efflorescence, which mostly occurred as oxalates and sulfates.Keywords: wall painting; pigments; binders; degradation products; lime mortars ИСПИТУВАЊЕ НА ЅИДНОТО СЛИКАРСТВО И ВАРОВИТЕ МАЛТЕРИ ОД XIV ВЕК ВО ЦРКВАТА "СВ. ЃОРЃИ" ВО СТАРО НАГОРИЧАНЕ, РЕПУБЛИКА МАКЕДОНИЈАОвој труд претставува прво опсежно испитување на ѕидното сликарство во црквата "Св. Ѓорѓи" со помош на Фуриеова трансформна инфрацрвена спектроскопија (FTIR) користејќи дифузна рефлексиона (DRS) и микро-инфрацрвена спектроскопија (Micro-IR), како и со примена на оптичка микроскопија (ОМ), рендгенска флуоресценција (XRF), рендгенска дифракција (XRD) и масена спектрометрија со индуктивно спрегната плазма (ICP-MS). Главна цел на испитувањата беше карактеризација на уметничката палета и сликарската техника, но и одредување на настанатите промени и деградациони продукти на ѕидното сликарство. Во овој труд е претставена и анализата на варовите малтери коишто се употребени во сликарската подлога и во носечката конструкција на ѕидното сликарство. Аналитичките резултати посочија дека во ѕидното сликарство се употребени земјени/минерални пигменти применувајќи комбинација на фреско и варова техника на сликање. Главен причинител на деструкцијата на сликарството е солната ефлоресценција која главно е образувана од оксалатни и сулфатни соли.Клучни зборови: ѕидно сликарство; пигменти; врзива; деградациони продукти; варови малтери L. Robeva-Čukovska, T. Šijakova-Ivanova, Ž. Kokolanski Maced.