Fahim, N., Abdelaal, S., HENIN, E. (2023). PHYSIOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF COPTIC JESUS CHRIST ICON, CHURCH OF SAINT MERCURIUS, EGYPT. Journal of the General Union of Arab Archaeologists, 8(1), 207-222. doi: 10.21608/jguaa2.2022.141988.1107
Neven Fahim; Shaaban Abdelaal; Emil HENIN. "PHYSIOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF COPTIC JESUS CHRIST ICON, CHURCH OF SAINT MERCURIUS, EGYPT". Journal of the General Union of Arab Archaeologists, 8, 1, 2023, 207-222. doi: 10.21608/jguaa2.2022.141988.1107
Fahim, N., Abdelaal, S., HENIN, E. (2023). 'PHYSIOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF COPTIC JESUS CHRIST ICON, CHURCH OF SAINT MERCURIUS, EGYPT', Journal of the General Union of Arab Archaeologists, 8(1), pp. 207-222. doi: 10.21608/jguaa2.2022.141988.1107
Fahim, N., Abdelaal, S., HENIN, E. PHYSIOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF COPTIC JESUS CHRIST ICON, CHURCH OF SAINT MERCURIUS, EGYPT. Journal of the General Union of Arab Archaeologists, 2023; 8(1): 207-222. doi: 10.21608/jguaa2.2022.141988.1107
PHYSIOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF COPTIC JESUS CHRIST ICON, CHURCH OF SAINT MERCURIUS, EGYPT
1lecture at faculty of archaeology, the conservation department, Fayoum University, Egypt
2Professor at faculty of archaeology, Fayoum University, Egypt.
3Head of Coptic Painting Conservation at Monasteries and Churches in Haret Zuweila, Cairo, Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, Egypt.
Abstract
التوصيف الفيزيو كيميائي لايقونة السيد المسيح ، كنيسة ابى سيفين ،جمهورية مصر العربية[Ar] قدم هذا البحث التوصيف الفيزوكيميائى لأيقونة قبطية من القرن التاسع عشر من كنيسة القديس مرقوريوس، حيث تمثل مثال فريد من هذة الايقونات التى تعود الى العصر القبطى. ولكى يتحقق الغرض من الدراسة تم استخدام بعض الوسائل الفحص والتحليل لشرح وايضاح كل مظاهر التلف مما يساعد في التوثيق الأثري للأيقونة ، وقد يعطي ذلك تفسير عن ميكانيكة تلف الأيقونات الأثرية . كشف الفحص البصري أن الأيقونة القبطية تتكون من أربع طبقات: دعامة لوح خشبي ، وطبقة تحضير ، وطبقة طلاء ، وبقية طبقة الورنيش ، وقد عانت كل طبقة من ظروف البيئة المحيطة ، وظهر ذلك في العديد من علامات التلف. تم فحص وتحليل العينات المأخوذة من أماكن مختلفة عن طريق الفحص باستخدام الميكرسكوب الإلكتروني الماسح المجهز بكاشف الأشعة السينية المشتت للطاقة (EDS) والتحليل الطيفى بالاشعة تحت الحمراء فورير " FTIR" وحيود الأشعة السينيةXRD " " أظهرت نتائج التحليل الطيفى بالاشعة فوق الحمراء للعينة الأثرية أن الطبقة الأرضية تتكون من الجبس والطباشير والغراء الحيواني كمادة رابطة. أشارت أطياف XRD إلى مصادر الأصباغ المستخدمة في رسم الأيقونة ، وتم تحديد المادة الملونة الحمراء من أحمر الرصاص ، وبالنسبة لمادة اللون الازرق من الالترامارين ، و المادة الملونة البيضاء من الرصاص الأبيض ، والمادة الملونة البنية كانت من أكسيد الحديد ، بالإضافة إلى استخدام صفار البيض كمادة رابطة في طبقة الطلاء والورنيش المستخدم كان من راتنج الشيلاك. ثم تم الكشف عن حالة التدهور ، وفقًا لنتائج SEM ، والتي أظهرت بوضوح وجود بقع وسناج وشمع وتشققات وثقوب في الطبقة السفلية من الأيقونة ، وتراكم الغبار وطبقات الورنيش الداكنة على الطبقة العليا.
[EN] This research presents a physiochemical analysis of a Coptic icon from church of Saint Mercurius that back to the 19th century. Identified deterioration phenomena were illustrated using various examination and analysis tools in order to fulfill the study's objectives. So as to find an explanation for how ancient icons were damaged. The visual inspection revealed that the Coptic icon is made up of four layers: the wooden panel support, the preparation layer, the painting layer, and the remaining varnish layer, Each of these layers suffered from surrounding environment, appearing in various signs of damage in the visual assessment. Samples taken from different places were investigated and analyzed by using scanning electron microscope equipped with an energy dispersive X- ray detector (EDX), FTIR, and X- Ray diffraction. The results of FTIR analysis revealed that the ground layer consists of gypsum, chalk and animal glue. XRD spectra confirmed that the red pigment was red lead , blue pigment was ultramarine, white pigment was white lead, and brown pigment was iron oxide (burnt sienna), in addition to the use of the egg yolk as a binder in the painting layer and the varnish was shellac resin. The state of deterioration was detected, according to the SEM results, which show clearly the presence of stain, soot, wax ,cracks and lacunae at the lower layer of the icon, and accumulation of dust and darkening of varnish layers on the upper layer.
ABDEL GHANI, H.:« A Multi-instrument Investigation of Pigments, Binders and Varnishes from EgyptianPaintings (AD 1300-1900): Molecular and Elemental Analysis Using Raman, GC-MS and SEM-EDXTechniques», PhD Thesis, chapter 12, University of Bradford, 2009. ACETO,M., AGOSTINO, A., FENOGLIO, G. & MARCELLO, P.: « Non-invasive Differentiation between Natural andSynthetic Ultramarine Blue Pigments by means of 250–900 nm FORS Analysis», Analytical Methods 5/16, 2013, 4184-4189, DOI: 10.1039/c3ay40583d ALI, M. & YOUSSEF, M .:« An Analytical Study of a Mural with Colorful Geometric Decoration, Coptic museum, Cairo, Egypt: a case study», Scientific Culture 6/3, 2020, 37-52. ANBALAGAN, G. et al: « Infrared, Optical Absorption, and EPR Spectroscopic Studies on Natural Gypsum», Vibrational Spectroscopy 50/2, 2009, 226-230. ANGLOS, D.: «Laser-Induced Break- down Spectroscopy in Art and Archaeology», Applied Spectroscopy 55/6, 2001, 186-205. AZE, S. VALLET, M. DETALLS, V. GRAUBY, O & BARONNETA.: « Chromatic Alterations of Red Lead Pigments in Artworks: A Review», Phase Transitions 81/2-3, 145-154, 2008, DOI: 10.1080/01411590701514326 BALIGH.R & SHALABY.M.: « A Comparison between Coptic Icons in Christian Churches and the Icons of the Monastery of St. Catherine in Sinai », Bulletin of the Center Papyrological Studies 31/1, 2014, 1-27, DOI: 10.21608/bcps.2014.24309 BERG, K. J. et Al.:« Darkening and Surface Degradation in 19th- and early 20th Century Paintings–an Analytical Study», In book: ICOM Committee for Conservation 13th Triennial Meeting, 2002, 22-28. BERNARD, K.: «X-Ray Diffraction and the Composition of Lead White», Studies in the History of Art 4, 1971- 1972, 121–133. https://www.jstor.org/stable/42617728 BRANIA, A.: «Characterization of the Mamluk Painting Materials in Cairo, Egypt: El-Ashraf Bersbay Madrasa (826 A.H/ 1423 A.D)A case study», Maǧallaẗ Al-Itiḥād Al-ʿām Lil Aṯārīyin Al-ʿarab 11, 2010, 1-39, DOI: 10.21608/jguaa.2000.2747 BUDU,A.: « The Deterioration and Degradation of Icons with Revetments. Case Studies », Conference: Sustainable Preservation of Cultural Heritage Collections, Romania, 2018, 1-9. CLARK, R.:«Pigment Identification by Spectroscopic Means: an Arts/science interface», Comptes Rendus Chimie 5/1, 2002, 7–20, https://doi.org/10.1016/S1631-0748(02)01341-3 CHITALE. A.:« Production & Characterization of Brown Coloured Pigment from Trichoderma Viride», Electronic Journal of Environmental, Agricultural and Food Chemistry 11/5, 2012, 529-537. DERRICK, M. R., STULIK, D., LANDRY, J. M.: Infrared Spectroscopy in Conservation Science, Los Angeles (The Getty Conservation Institute) 1999. ELSAYED.Y.: « Conservation of a Historic Panel Oil-painting Coated with an Ancient Varnish Layer », Shedet 6, 2019, 238-256, DOI: 10.21608/shedet.006.14 ELSEROGY,A. MAHMOUD, G. & ALAWNEH, F.:«The Conservation of the Byzantine Icon from Georgios Church, Jordan », Annales d'Universite 'Valahia' Targoviste, Section d'Archeologie et d'Histoire, vol. Tome XX, 2018, 53-69. FRISON, G., & BRUN ,G.:« Lapis Lazuli, Lazurite, Ultramarine ‘Blue’, and the Colour Term ‘Azure’ up to the 13th Century », Journal of the International Color Association 16, 2016, 41-55. GHANI, M.:« Dating a Coptic Icon of Anonymous Painter by Spectroscopic Study of Pigment Palette», Mediterranean Archaeology and Archaeometry 15/1, 2015, 1-16, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.15002. GLIOZZO, E., IONESCU, C.: « Pigments—Lead-based Whites, Reds, Yellows and Oranges and their Alteration Phases», Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences 14, 2022, 14-35. GONZALEZ, V., CALLIGARO, T., WALLEZ, G., EVENO, M. & TOUSSAINT, K.: «Composition and Microstructure of the Lead White Pigment in Masters Paintings using HR Synchrotron XRD», Microchemical Journal 125, 2016, 43-49. GRANT, R.: Lead Production, in Encyclopedia of Materials: Science and Technology, 2001, 4439-4442. HAMED, S., Ali, M., El Hadidi, N.:« Using SEM in Monitoring Changes in Archaeological Wood: A review», Current Microscopy Contributions to Advances in Science and Technology: A. MÉNDEZ-VILAS (ed.), 2012, 1077-1085. Neven Fahim, Shaaban Abdelaal & Emil Henin DOI: 10.21608/JGUAA2.2022.141988.1107 221 JGUAA2 vol.8/1, 2023, 207-222 HELMI, F. M. & ATTIA, M. A.: «Non–Destructive Study of an Oil Painting from 19th Century Egypt »,vol.1, In: 3 rd international conference on non–destructive Testing, Micro Analytical Methods and Environment Evaluation for Study and Conservation of Works of Art, Instituto Centrale del Restauro, Roma, 1992, 738. HELWIG, K.: Iron Oxide Pigments, BERRIE, B. H. (ed.), Artists’ Pigments, A Handbook of Their History and Characteristics, vol. 4, Washington (National Gallery of Art) 2007. HENIN. E, ABDELAAL. S, FAHIM. N, & ELMALEK.W.: «Conservation and Preservation of Jesus Christ Icon Dating Back to 19th Century at Saint Mercurius Monastery at Tamouh, Giza, Egypt», International Journal of Advance studies in World archaeology 5/1, 2022, 128–143, DOI: 10.21608/ijaswa.2022.230400 HRADIL.D, GRYGAR.T, HRADILOVA.J. & BEZDICKA.P.: «Clay and Iron Oxide Pigments in the History of Painting», Applied Clay Science 22/5, 2003, 223–236, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0169-1317(03)00076-0. ISSA, Y.M. ABDEL-MAKSOUD, G. & MAGDY. M.:« Analytical Study of Saint Gregory Nazianzen Icon, Old Cairo, Egypt», Journal of Molecular Structure 1100, 2015, 70-79, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molstruc.2015.07.004 KARYDIS, C.: «The Fabric Support in Portable Icons Deterioration, Documentation & Conservation», International Meeting, Athens 12 ,2006, 1-24. KENDIX, ELSEBETH L., SILVIA PRATI, EDITH JOSEPH, GIORGIA SCIUTTO & ROCCO MAZZEO: « ATR and Transmission Analysis of Pigments by Means of Far Infrared Spectroscopy» Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry 394/4, 2009, 1023-1032. KHASAWNEH, S. ELSEROGY, A.:« Conservation and Restoration of Church Icon from Baptism Museum, Jordan, Case Study» Mediterranean Archaeology and Archaeometry 19/1, 2019, 85-91. KUMAR, U. SHARON, M. JAWALEKAR, S.: « Characterization of Pb3O4 Films by Electrochemical Techniques», Bulletin of Materials Science 8/3, 1986, 415–418. LOTUT, Z.:« Blue in Eighteenth-Century England: Pigments and Usages», La Couleur 75, 2018,1-18, https://doi.org/10.4000/1718.1214 LUSSIER, S.& SMITH, D.: «A Review of the Phenomenon of Lead White Darkening and its Conversion Treatment», Studies in Conservation 52, 2007, 41-53. MAHMOUD, H.: «Analytical Study of Coptic Wall Paintings in Egypt, El-Bagawat Necropolis, Kharga Oasis: A Case Study» Periodico di Mineralogia 82/1, 2013, 25-40, DOI: 10.2451/2013PM0002. MAHMOUD. M.: «Using Examination and Analysis Methods to Determine the aspects of Deterioration for Oil Painting (A Case Study) », International Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies in Architecture and Cultural Heritage 1/1, 2018, 197 – 221. MAKSOUD. G, IBRAHIM.M, ISSA.Y & MAGDY, M.: «Investigation of Painting Technique of Coptic Icon by Integrated Analytical Methods: Imaging, Spectroscopic and Chemometric Methods», Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports 29, 2020, 102085, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jasrep.2019.102085 Malaty.T.: the Coptic Iconography, Introduction to the Coptic Orthodox Church, 1998, 10, 1-10, https://ukmidcopts.org/kotob/Fr%20Tadros%20Malaty/12-3_Coptic_Iconography.pdf Accessed on 30/06/2022 MEDHAT, A. ALI, M & ABDEL-GHANI, M.: «Analytical Investigation on a Coptic Wooden Icon from the 18 Century Using SEM–EDX Microscopy and FTIR Spectroscopy», Mediterranean Archaeology and Archaeometry 15/1, 2015,151-161, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.15048. MORGAN .S.: «Shaker’s Typological Classification of Coptic Orthodox Church Design An Application on Historic Coptic Churches of Old Cairo and Fustat», Engineering Research Journal 151, 2016, A14-A36. MORKOS. M.: «Factors and Signs of the Damage of Coptic Icons and Suggestion for Treatment: Application on a Chosen Model», 1 St International Conference of Coptic Studies at Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Entitled: Life in Egypt during the Coptic period Towns and Villages, Laymen and Clergy, Bishops and Dioceses, 2010. PAVLIDOU, E. ARAPI, M. et Al.: «Onoufrios, the Famous XVI’s Century Iconographer, Creator of the «Berati School»: Studying the Technique and Materials used in Wall Paintings of inscribed Churches», Applied Physics A 83/4, 2006, 709-717. PRIESS. M, CHAILLOT. C.: «The Role of Images and the Veneration of Icons in the Oriental Orthodox Churches: Syrian Orthodox, Armenian, Coptic and Ethiopian Traditions, Aethiopica», International Journal of Ethiopian and Eritrean Studies 22, 2019, 280–281. PUICĂ,I. : «Biblical Elements in Coptic Icon», European Journal of Science and Theology 2/2, 2004, 37-50. PHYSIOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF COPTIC JESUS CHRIST ICON [CHURCH OF SAINT MERCURIUS, EGYPT] DOI: 10.21608/JGUAA2.2022.141988.1107 222 JGUAA2 vol.8/1, 2023, 207-222. REFAAT.A , ATTA.D , OSMAN.O , MAHMOUD.A, EL-KOHADARY.S , MALEK.W, FERRETTI.M , ELHAES.M & IBRAHIM.M.: «Analytical and Computational Study of Three Coptic Icons in Saint Mercurius Monastery, Egypt», Bio interface Research in Applied Chemistry 9/6, 2019, 4685 - 4698 SALLAM, A. ZHAO, Y. HASSAN, M. TOPRAK, M. MUHAMMED, M. & UHEID A ,A.: «Studies on the Deterioration of Coptic Mural Painting in the Monastery of Martyrs and the Luxor Temple», International Journal of Conservation Science 7/2 ,2016, 493-500. ŞERIFAKIA, K. BÖKEA, H. YALÇINB, S. & IPEKOĞLU, B.: «Characterization of Materials Used in the Execution of Historic Oil Paintings by XRD, SEM-EDS, TGA and LIBS Analysis», Materials Characterization 60/4, 2009,303. SKALOVA, Z. & GABRA, G.: Icons of the Nile Valley, Giza ( Egypt. Internat. Publ) 2003. VAHUR, S. et Al.:« ATR-FTIR Spectral Collection of Conservation Materials in the Extended Region of 4000-80 cm -1», Bio Analysis Chemistry Journal 408, 2016, 3373-3379. WALTON, M. & TRENTELMAN, K.: «Romano-Egyptian Red Lead Pigment: A Subsidiary Commodity of Spanish Silver Mining and Refinement », Archaeometry 51/5, 2008, 845–860. YOUSRY, M ., ABDEL-MAKSOUD.G.& MAGDY, M.: «Study of the Effect of Environmental Conditions on the Red Color of Saint Yehnes Cama Icon, Mallawi, Egypt», International Hournal of Research in Pharmacyand Chemistry, IJRPC, 5/3, 2015, 491-497.