Pigments and binders in “Madonna col Bambino e S. Giovannino” by Botticelli investigated by micro-Raman and GC/MS

During the restoration plan of the famous painting “Madonna col Bambino e S. Giovannino” by Sandro Botticelli, located in the Museo Civico of Piacenza (Italy), a study on painting materials was carried out. The pigments, the binders and the materials used for the application of ground and priming layers were studied using micro-Raman spectroscopy, gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS), optical and electronic microscopies. Gypsum and anhydrite were found in the ground layer, while carbon black and lead white were used in the priming layers. The precious pigments of the artist's palette and the binders used (egg and animal glue) were determined.