L’indagine diagnostica per il restauro: il caso del modello ligneo della Chiesa di S. Maria della Consolazione in Todi

Abstract

The wooden polychrome Model of the Church of S. Maria della Consolazione in Todi is an handmade article whose author and historical events are not completely known except a wide reference to the construction period of the church (1508-1607). During the restoration, carried out in the first half of the year 2007, some diagnostic analyses were performed in order to study and characterize the materials, the techniques and the conservation state of the model and so to provide a valid help to the restoration itself. The pigments, binders, restoration materials and the different wooden parts were examined. The samples were taken off during the disassembly of the model and they were analyzed by means of a polarizing microscope. The chemical analyses were carried out by means of micro-Raman spectrometer and by means of FTIR and micro-FTIR spectrophotometry. The cross, radial and tangential thin sections of the wooden samples were examined under an optical microscope.