X-ray radiographic analysis of the two wooden sculptures of 18th century

The X-ray radiography technique is highly efficient in investigating the manufacturing techniques employed by an artisan when creating a sculpture, as well as assessing the state of conservation and restoration processes. For instance, it allows the determination of whether the artist carved the scu...

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Main Authors: Soraia Azeredo, Renan Oliveira, Elaine Gusmão, Marcelino Anjos, Francis Sanches, Ricardo Lopes, Davi Oliveira
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Brazilian Radiation Protection Society (Sociedade Brasileira de Proteção Radiológica, SBPR) 2025-02-01
Series:Brazilian Journal of Radiation Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://bjrs.org.br/revista/index.php/REVISTA/article/view/2766
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author Soraia Azeredo
Renan Oliveira
Elaine Gusmão
Marcelino Anjos
Francis Sanches
Ricardo Lopes
Davi Oliveira
author_facet Soraia Azeredo
Renan Oliveira
Elaine Gusmão
Marcelino Anjos
Francis Sanches
Ricardo Lopes
Davi Oliveira
author_sort Soraia Azeredo
collection DOAJ
description The X-ray radiography technique is highly efficient in investigating the manufacturing techniques employed by an artisan when creating a sculpture, as well as assessing the state of conservation and restoration processes. For instance, it allows the determination of whether the artist carved the sculpture from a single piece of massive wood or if it was sculpted in multiple parts, subsequently assembled using nails, hooks, or metal spikes. It also provides insights into whether the artwork underwent certain restoration processes and reveals its current state of preservation or degradation. This information can offer insights into the artist preferred creation technique, potentially the most popular technique of the time. It can also help estimate the period when the artwork underwent restoration and aid in choosing the appropriate restoration technique. In this study, we present the results of an investigative analysis of the internal structure, using digital X-ray radiography, of two wooden sacred sculptures representing biblical characters King David and his wife Bathsheba, dating back to the 18th century and housed in the Church of Our Lady of Pilar in Duque de Caxias, RJ, Brazil. Both sculptures are covered with layers of stain, with a prevailing golden hue on the garments. The obtained radiographic images show that the artist carved various parts of the sculptures and later assembled them using metal pegs. Additionally, recent nails were visible, indicating that the sculptures underwent a restoration process. All digital radiographic images were captured in high resolution using a flat-panel detector.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2319-0612
language English
publishDate 2025-02-01
publisher Brazilian Radiation Protection Society (Sociedade Brasileira de Proteção Radiológica, SBPR)
record_format Article
series Brazilian Journal of Radiation Sciences
spelling doaj-art-1bb77a8b13c347d4a3affef288fb7dcd2025-08-20T03:51:19ZengBrazilian Radiation Protection Society (Sociedade Brasileira de Proteção Radiológica, SBPR)Brazilian Journal of Radiation Sciences2319-06122025-02-01124A (Suppl.)10.15392/2319-0612.2024.27662391X-ray radiographic analysis of the two wooden sculptures of 18th centurySoraia Azeredo0Renan Oliveira1Elaine Gusmão2Marcelino Anjos3Francis Sanches4Ricardo Lopes5Davi Oliveira6Universidade Federal do Rio de JaneiroUniversidade Federal do Rio de JaneiroD' Gusmão Conservação e Restauração de Obras de ArteUniversidade do Estado do Rio de JaneiroUniversidade do Estado do Rio de JaaneiroUniversidade Federal do Rio de JaneiroUniversidade Federal do Rio de JaneiroThe X-ray radiography technique is highly efficient in investigating the manufacturing techniques employed by an artisan when creating a sculpture, as well as assessing the state of conservation and restoration processes. For instance, it allows the determination of whether the artist carved the sculpture from a single piece of massive wood or if it was sculpted in multiple parts, subsequently assembled using nails, hooks, or metal spikes. It also provides insights into whether the artwork underwent certain restoration processes and reveals its current state of preservation or degradation. This information can offer insights into the artist preferred creation technique, potentially the most popular technique of the time. It can also help estimate the period when the artwork underwent restoration and aid in choosing the appropriate restoration technique. In this study, we present the results of an investigative analysis of the internal structure, using digital X-ray radiography, of two wooden sacred sculptures representing biblical characters King David and his wife Bathsheba, dating back to the 18th century and housed in the Church of Our Lady of Pilar in Duque de Caxias, RJ, Brazil. Both sculptures are covered with layers of stain, with a prevailing golden hue on the garments. The obtained radiographic images show that the artist carved various parts of the sculptures and later assembled them using metal pegs. Additionally, recent nails were visible, indicating that the sculptures underwent a restoration process. All digital radiographic images were captured in high resolution using a flat-panel detector. https://bjrs.org.br/revista/index.php/REVISTA/article/view/2766digital radiographywood sculpturesrestoration process
spellingShingle Soraia Azeredo
Renan Oliveira
Elaine Gusmão
Marcelino Anjos
Francis Sanches
Ricardo Lopes
Davi Oliveira
X-ray radiographic analysis of the two wooden sculptures of 18th century
Brazilian Journal of Radiation Sciences
digital radiography
wood sculptures
restoration process
title X-ray radiographic analysis of the two wooden sculptures of 18th century
title_full X-ray radiographic analysis of the two wooden sculptures of 18th century
title_fullStr X-ray radiographic analysis of the two wooden sculptures of 18th century
title_full_unstemmed X-ray radiographic analysis of the two wooden sculptures of 18th century
title_short X-ray radiographic analysis of the two wooden sculptures of 18th century
title_sort x ray radiographic analysis of the two wooden sculptures of 18th century
topic digital radiography
wood sculptures
restoration process
url https://bjrs.org.br/revista/index.php/REVISTA/article/view/2766
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AT elainegusmao xrayradiographicanalysisofthetwowoodensculpturesof18thcentury
AT marcelinoanjos xrayradiographicanalysisofthetwowoodensculpturesof18thcentury
AT francissanches xrayradiographicanalysisofthetwowoodensculpturesof18thcentury
AT ricardolopes xrayradiographicanalysisofthetwowoodensculpturesof18thcentury
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