The Dagulf Psalter (Austrian National Library Cod. 1861): A Multi-Analytical Approach to Study Inks, Dyes, and Pigments of this Early Carolingian Manuscript
-
Dubravka Jembrih-Simbürger
,
Wilfried Vetter
Abstract
The Dagulf Psalter is a precious Carolingian manuscript on calf parchment, dated to 793–795. Its unique and high historical value required a non-invasive, multi-analytical approach to gain insights into the material composition of gold and silver inks, pigments, and dyes used for writing and illuminations. Elemental mapping based on X-ray fluorescence analysis (XRF), Fibre Optics Reflectance Spectroscopy (FORS) measurements, and hyperspectral imaging (HSI) gave complementary information on colour media and their brilliant shades. Knowledge of the material composition of inks, dyes, and pigments is of crucial importance not only for art historical research, but also for the preservation of the manuscript, as it is known that among other factors, silver inks and some pigments can lead to deterioration of parchment supports. The purple dye orchil and blue indigo were used for painted backgrounds on the initial folios. Lapis lazuli was found in decorative frames on these folios. Orchil, indigo, and lapis lazuli also appear in decorations of small initials throughout the manuscript. Red lead, ochre, cinnabar, orpiment, and lead white were also found in various painted details. Gold and silver inks of high purity were identified. The proof of chlorine in the silver ink indicates the presence of corrosion products.
Zusammenfassung
Der Dagulf Psalter ist eine karolingische Handschrift auf Kalbspergament, die auf die Jahre 793–795 datiert wird. Aufgrund der Einzigartigkeit und des hohen historischen Werts des Manuskripts wurde zur naturwissenschaftlichen Analyse eine Kombination aus nicht-invasiven Analysemethoden eingesetzt, um Erkenntnisse über die Materialzusammensetzung von Gold- und Silbertinten, Pigmenten und Farbstoffen zu gewinnen. Elementverteilungsbilder der Röntgenfluoreszenzanalyse (XRF) sowie Ergebnisse der Faseroptik-Reflexionsspektroskopie (FORS) und Bilder, die mit Hyper Spectral Imaging (HSI) aufgenommen wurden, ergaben sich ergänzende Informationen, wodurch die Farbmittel und ihre brillanten Schattierungen in diesem Manuskript bestimmt werden konnten. Das Verständnis der Materialzusammensetzung von Tinten, Farbstoffen und Pigmenten ist nicht nur für die kunsthistorische Forschung, sondern auch für die Konservierung des Manuskripts von wesentlicher Bedeutung, da bekannt ist, dass neben anderen Faktoren, Silbertinten und einige Pigmente zu einem Abbau von Pergament führen können. Orchil und Indigo wurden für bemalte Hintergründe auf den Initialzierseiten verwendet, während Lapislazuli im Dekorrahmen dieser Folios bestimmt wurde. Orchil, Indigo und Lapislazuli kommen auch in Verzierungen von kleinen Initialen im Manuskript vor. Weiters wurden Mennige, Ocker, Zinnober, Auripigment und Bleiweiβ in dekorativen Elementen des Manuskripts nachgewiesen. In der Schrift findet man Gold-und Silbertinten von hohem Reinheitsgrad. Der Nachweis von Chlor in der Silbertinte deutet auf das Vorhandensein von Silberkorrosionsprodukten hin.
Acknowledgments
This research was funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation as part of the SNSF-project “Textures of Sacred Scripture. Materials and Semantics of Sacred Book Ornament in the Western Middle Ages, 780–1300” at the Institute of Art History at the University of Zurich. The authors would like to thank the Austrian National Library, especially Dr. Andreas Fingernagel, Director emeritus of the Department of Manuscripts and Rare Books, for the permission to carry out analytical studies on Cod. 1861.
References
Aceto, M., A. Arrais, F. Marsano, A. Agostino, G. Fenoglio, A. Idone, and M. Gulmini. 2015. “A Diagnostic Study on Folium and Orchil Dyes with Non-invasive and Micro-destructive Methods.” Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy 142: 159–68. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.saa.2015.02.001.Search in Google Scholar
Aceto, M., M.J. Melo, E. Calà, P. Nabais, and R. Araújo. 2020. “Identification of the Purple Dye on the Vienna Genesis.” In The Vienna Genesis: Material Analysis and Conservation of a Late Antique Illuminated Manuscript on Purple Parchment, edited by C. Hofmann, 103–18. Wien: Böhlau Verlag.10.7767/9783205210580.103Search in Google Scholar
Aceto, M., E. Calà, A. Agostino, G. Fenoglio, M. Gulmini, A. Idone, C. Porter, et al.. 2019. “Mythic Dyes or Mythic Colour? New, Insight into the Use of Purple Dyes on Codices.” Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy 215: 133–41. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.saa.2019.01.091.Search in Google Scholar
Cappa, F., B. Fruehmann, and M. Schreiner. 2019. “Raman Spectroscopy for the Material Analysis of Medieval Manuscripts.” In Advanced Nanomaterials, Nanotechnologies and Nanomaterials for Diagnostic, Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage, 127–147. Elsevier.10.1016/B978-0-12-813910-3.00007-0Search in Google Scholar
Cappa, F., and K. Sterflinger. 2022. “Non-Invasive Physico-Chemical and Biological Analysis of Parchment Manuscripts – an Overview.” Restaurator 43 (1–2): 127–42. https://doi.org/10.1515/res-2022-0007.Search in Google Scholar
Cucci, C., and A. Casini. 2019. “Hyperspectral Imaging for Artworks Investigation.” Data Handling in Science and Technology 32: 583–604. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-444-63977-6.00023-7.Search in Google Scholar
Denoël, C., P.R. Puyo, A-M. Brunet, and A.P. Siloe. 2018. “Illuminating the Carolingian Era: New Discoveries as a Result of Scientific Analyses.” Heritage Science 6: 28.10.1186/s40494-018-0194-1Search in Google Scholar
De Viguerie, L., S. Rochut, M. Alfeld, P. Walter, S. Astie, V. Gontero, and F. Boulc’h. 2018. “XRF and Reflectance Hyperspectral Imaging on a 15th Century Illuminated Manuscript: Combining Imaging and Quantitative Analysis to Understand the Artist’s Technique.” Heritage Science 6: 11. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40494-018-0177-2.Search in Google Scholar
Frühmann, B., F. Cappa, W. Vetter, and M. Schreiner. 2018a. “Three Complementary Non-invasive Methods Applied to Historical Manuscripts. Manuscript Cultures 11.” In Proceedings of the ‘Second International Conference on Natural Sciences and Technology in Manuscript Analysis’ at the, 97–108. Hamburg: University of Hamburg.Search in Google Scholar
Frühmann, B., F. Cappa, V. Vetter, M. Schreiner, and Father Petrus. 2018b. “Multianalytical Approach to the Analysis of the Millices Maior and Millenarius Minor Codices in Kremsmuenster Abbey.” Heritage Science 6: 10. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40494-018-0176-3.Search in Google Scholar
Hofmann, C., ed. 2020. The Vienna Genesis: Material Analysis and Conservation of a Late Antique Illuminated Manuscript on Purple Parchment. Wien: Böhlau Verlag.10.7767/9783205210580Search in Google Scholar
Holter, K. 1980. Der Goldene Psalter “Dagulf-Psalter”. Graz: Vollständige Faksimile Ausgabe.Search in Google Scholar
Kaiser-Alexnat, R. 2008. “Indigo – Der König der Farbstoffe.” Südostasien Magazin 8: 110–21.Search in Google Scholar
Mounier, A., G. Le Bourdon, C. Aupetit, C. Belin, L. Servant, S. Lazare, Y. Lefrais, and F. Daniel. 2014. “Hyperspectral Imaging, Spectrofluorimetry, FORS and XRF for the Non-invasive Study of Medieval Miniatures Materials.” Heritage Science 2: 24. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40494-014-0024-z.Search in Google Scholar
Picollo, M., C. Cucci, A. Casini, and L. Stefan. 2020. “Hyper-Spectral Imaging Technique in the Cultural Heritage Field: New Possible Scenarios.” Sensors 20 (10): 2843. https://doi.org/10.3390/s20102843.Search in Google Scholar
Reudenbach, B. 2016. “Der Dagulf-Psalter und sein Einband.” In Kunst-Kontexte, edited by H-C. Dittscheid, D. Gerstl, and S. Hespers, 242–9. Petersberg: Michael Imhof Verlag.Search in Google Scholar
Tschelnitz, S. 1857. Farben-Chemie insbesondere der Oel- und Wasserfarben nach ihrem chemischen und physikalischen Verhalten, ihrer Darstellung und Verwendung, so wie ihren gewöhnlichen Verfälschungen, 210–211. Österreich: Wien Verlag Carl Gerold´s Sohn.Search in Google Scholar
Turner, N. K. 2022. “Surface Effect and Substance: Precious Metals in Illuminated Manuscripts.” In Illuminating Metalwork: Metal, Object, and Image in Medieval Manuscripts, Vol. 4, edited by J.S. Ackley, and S.L. Wearing, 51–110. Berlin: De Gruyter.10.1515/9783110637526-002Search in Google Scholar
Vassiliou, P., and V. Gouda. 2013. “Ancient Silver Artefacts: Corrosion Processes and Preservation Strategies.” In Corrosion And Conservation of Cultural Heritage Metallic Artefacts, European Federation of Corrosion Publications Number 65, edited by P. Dillmann, D. Watkinson, E. Angelini, and A. Adriaens, 213–35. Oxford: Woodhead Publishing.10.1533/9781782421573.3.213Search in Google Scholar
© 2024 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston
Articles in the same Issue
- Frontmatter
- Editorial
- Editorial
- Preface
- Editorial
- Original Works
- Treating Brown Inks: Investigation into the Effects of Aqueous Treatment Methods on the Colour Stability of Bister, Sepia, Iron Gall and Logwood Inks
- Characterization of Historical and Modern Leathers Using FTIR, XRD, SEM-EDX, and Thermal Techniques
- Material Characterisation of 19–20th Century Manuscripts from Northern Thailand
- Review
- Proteomics to Study Parchment Degradation – From Bulk to Spatial Analysis
- Original Works
- The Dagulf Psalter (Austrian National Library Cod. 1861): A Multi-Analytical Approach to Study Inks, Dyes, and Pigments of this Early Carolingian Manuscript
- Copper Complexes in Verdigris Painting Mixtures: An Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Characterization
- Restoration of the Information on De-colourized Architectural Cyanotypes
- Study on the Material Properties and Deterioration Mechanism of Palm Leaves
- Analysis of Two Different Inks and Application Techniques on Palm Leaf Manuscripts Through Non-Invasive Analysis
Articles in the same Issue
- Frontmatter
- Editorial
- Editorial
- Preface
- Editorial
- Original Works
- Treating Brown Inks: Investigation into the Effects of Aqueous Treatment Methods on the Colour Stability of Bister, Sepia, Iron Gall and Logwood Inks
- Characterization of Historical and Modern Leathers Using FTIR, XRD, SEM-EDX, and Thermal Techniques
- Material Characterisation of 19–20th Century Manuscripts from Northern Thailand
- Review
- Proteomics to Study Parchment Degradation – From Bulk to Spatial Analysis
- Original Works
- The Dagulf Psalter (Austrian National Library Cod. 1861): A Multi-Analytical Approach to Study Inks, Dyes, and Pigments of this Early Carolingian Manuscript
- Copper Complexes in Verdigris Painting Mixtures: An Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Characterization
- Restoration of the Information on De-colourized Architectural Cyanotypes
- Study on the Material Properties and Deterioration Mechanism of Palm Leaves
- Analysis of Two Different Inks and Application Techniques on Palm Leaf Manuscripts Through Non-Invasive Analysis
