Genoese 'intonachino' plasters between the 12th and the 18th century: archaeometric analyses

摘要

In the last twenty years, the authors have analyzed many samples of plaster and surface finish taken from historic buildings in the territory of Genoa (Italy), dating from the 12th to the 18~(th) century, excluding the sintered materials used since the 19~(th) century onwards. This research, therefore, wants to document the techniques and the materials used: lab investigations have ascertained different mineralogical compositions (quartz, slaked lime, pozzolan, marmorino, etc.), with overall color not always white, but also colored with the addition of natural or artificial pigments, accompanied by surface treatments which enhance the color differences between different parts of the monument. The research was carried out using reflected light microscopy techniques on polished cross sections and polarized transmitted light techniques on thin sections, integrated with FTIR spectroscopy and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis.