Execution technique and pigment characteristics of Byzantine wall paintings of Anaia Church in Western Anatolia

Abstract

In this study, material characteristics of wall paintings executed in 11th Century Byzantine Church located in archaeological site of Anaia (Turkey) were investigated to provide historical information of the painting techniques. For this purpose, physical, chemical and mineralogical compositions of the paintings were determined by X-Ray Diffraction, Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy coupled with Energy Dispersive spectroscopy and Thermo-Gravimetric Analysis. Analysis results indicated that the paintings were executed using lime-secco technique. In this technique, pigments were mixed with lime and applied on a smooth plaster layer. Pigments used were mainly iron oxides for red, yellow and purple paintings, aluminosilicates such as celadonite for green paintings and lazurite for dark blue paintings.