The mural paintings of the cloister in the Certosa di Calci, Pisa. (June 2022) - Marrocchino, Elena
Highlights: Structural deterioration of the cloister. Macro-degradation and the state of conservation of paintings. Characterization of the painting through different techniques. Hypotheses for the conservation of the cloister. Abstract: The purpose of this research paper is to contribute to the knowledge of the Cloister inside the monumental Certosa di Calci di Pisa (Tuscany, Italy), through the historical-artistic and technical-scientific study of the wall paintings that decorate it. After evaluating the macro-degradation and the state of conservation of the paintings that decorate the cloister, a series of micro-samplings were carried out to obtain objective information about the constituent materials of the cloister, the pigments, and the causes of degradation. The samples were subjected to four different laboratory analyses: stereomicroscope and SEM-EDS observations, chemical analysis using XRF, and molecular investigation obtained by micro-Raman spectroscopy. The results showed an advanced state of deterioration of the cloister structure and also of the pigments that decorate it, probably also due to the continuous exposure to atmospheric agents. The comparison of the data resulting from bibliographic research and scientific analyses has allowed to hint at some hypotheses for the conservation of the cloister.