Characterisation of 18 Melkite icons dating from the 17th to the 19th c. AD

Icons, manuscripts and liturgical objects of rare quality and variety constitute the cultural heritage of Eastern churches. For the first time, a very unique set of data on the Near-East icon painting technique is made available through this publication. It includes analyses of wood support, canvas and painting layers of about 18 icons painted in the region from the 17th to 19th centuries. Through the implementation of a variety of photographic and analytical methods (IR and UV imaging, X-Ray, xylological analyses, staining tests, SEM-EDX, XRD, μ-Raman), the icon making technique is investigated. Walnut tree appears to be the preferred wood employed in this region to make the icon support. The latter is often of very good quality and special care is given to the assembling technique. The presence of canvas soaked in size is frequent in Melkite icons. The gilding technique on bole is especially used and various punches, chisels or grained patterns creating sophisticated decorative ornamentations are often employed. In all the icons analyzed, about 15 different pigments have been found. A characteristic of these Near-East icons is the systematic presence of orpiment in mixture with other pigments to obtain a green coloration.