A changing face. Sequences of ancient polychromy on the marble head of Berenike II (Royal Museum of Mariemont), based on sample analyses
The Hellenistic marble head of Queen Berenike II, found in Hermopolis Magna, Egypt, is famous for its well-preserved polychromy. This essay presents new findings on the stratigraphy of its painting, gilding, and wax layers, based on multi-technique analyses of samples using XRF, XRD, SEM-EDS, FT-IR,...
שמור ב:
| הוצא לאור ב: | URI:https://journals.openedition.org/techne, |
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| Auteurs principaux: | , |
| פורמט: | Article ou chapitre numérique |
| שפה: | Anglais |
| יצא לאור: |
Technè
2025
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| נושאים: | |
| גישה מקוונת: | Accès Université d'Orléans et IFPM Accès Université d'Orléans et IFPM |
| סיכום: | The Hellenistic marble head of Queen Berenike II, found in Hermopolis Magna, Egypt, is famous for its well-preserved polychromy. This essay presents new findings on the stratigraphy of its painting, gilding, and wax layers, based on multi-technique analyses of samples using XRF, XRD, SEM-EDS, FT-IR, and GC-MS. Several polychrome techniques have been identified: an initial phase of encaustic painting, likely with Punic wax; a protective coating of pure beeswax, in accordance with the Greek ganôsis technique; subsequent gilding, preserved in places atop the ganôsis layer; a later phase using beeswax containing lead white and huntite; and finally later repaintings without wax. The complexity of the surface condition and the historical stratigraphy of the various polychrome phases, likely extending up to the Roman Imperial period, are now better understood. The study thus confirms the long history of ancient care and restoration devoted to the portrait of a divinized queen. It also highlights the hybrid character of a work combining, in one of its polychrome phases, elements of the Greek and Egyptian painting tradition. |
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