Images and colors from the tombs of Paestum: a multidisciplinary study of the pigments in the flora and fauna iconography

The Tomb of the Diver and the frescoed tombs in Paestum (southern Italy): New insights from a comparative archaeometric study

“…Moreover, a mixture of Egyptian blue with black pigments (carbon-and/or iron-based pigments) and iron-rich earths was already detected during previous analyses on painted slabs form Paestum [13][14][15], whereas the use of green earths was here observed for the first time.…”

“…In Campania region, attestations of Egyptian blue production have been found in Cuma and Pozzuoli [32,37,38]. Differently from the pigment palette of the Tomb of the Diver where the presence of Egyptian blue was clearly noticed, for most of the Paestum tombs dated between the end of the 5th century BC and the first quarter of the 3rd century BC the utilization of this pigment appeared unusual, as also discussed in previous literature [13]. This…”

“…The Tomb of the Diver and the frescoed tombs in Paestum (southern Italy) evidence could depend on the not so easy production or commercial availability of Egyptian blue in this period, which limit its use just for the tombs of the most important or wealthier families [13].…”

“…In 1997 H. Brecoulaki analysed different samples of pigments and plasters taken from some tombs, to carry out a scientific study on colours, binders and materials used in Paestum, and in Italy in general, in the pre-roman period [1]. Afterwards, pigments present in pictorial layers of frescoed tombs dated between the end of the 5th century BC and the first quarter of the 3rd century BC (red, yellow, orange, pink, blue, green, black, grey and brown) have been also analysed [13][14][15]. Ferrari et al [13] confirm through X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and Raman analyses that the artists' palette is quite limited and coherent with the contemporary funerary art in the Mediterranean basin.…”

“…Afterwards, pigments present in pictorial layers of frescoed tombs dated between the end of the 5th century BC and the first quarter of the 3rd century BC (red, yellow, orange, pink, blue, green, black, grey and brown) have been also analysed [13][14][15]. Ferrari et al [13] confirm through X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and Raman analyses that the artists' palette is quite limited and coherent with the contemporary funerary art in the Mediterranean basin. Red and yellow ochres prevail on other pigments, whereas the use of Egyptian blue and of a red ochre enriched in manganese is interesting and deeper studies on these materials could be useful to better clarify the commercial background of Paestum during the 4th century BC.…”