Posted on 08/22/2017 7:04:30 AM PDT by BenLurkin
Excavations in the mid-19th century uncovered much of Herculaneum, including its large “House of the Mosaic Atrium,” but an ancient painting in the house went almost unnoticed, until now.
A newly developed portable macro X-ray fluorescence instrument, ELIO by XGLab SRL, revealed the Roman woman in the portrait that has been subjected to molten lava, volcanic ash, grime, salt, and humidity over the years. As if that weren’t rough treatment enough, its exposure since it was excavated 70 years ago has caused much of it to deteriorate.
The portable X-ray instrument was brought directly to the site at Herculaneum, where the noninvasive analysis of the mid-1st century AD painting occurred.
...
Her analysis revealed that an artist created a sketch of the young woman with an iron-based pigment, and then put highlighting around the woman’s eyes in the sketch with a lead pigment. High levels of potassium in the woman’s cheeks in the artwork suggest that a green Earth pigment was used as an underpainting to help create a flesh-toned color.
...
She explained that the painting method actually involved two primary techniques. The first, known as fresco, involved applying pigments on a wet surface of lime mortar, which consists of a mixture of calcium hydroxide and sand and/or pumice stone. The second, called secco, involved applying pigments with organic binders to the surface once the lime mortar had set.
Together, these methods were used to contour the portrait and to give realistic-looking volume to the subject’s face, cheeks and nose.
...
The portrait of the Roman woman remains in the house at Herculaneum. The room where it is located can be viewed as a 360-degree panorama. Similar interactive images provide a virtual tour of the ancient city.
(Excerpt) Read more at seeker.com ...
Laz would unearth it.
The hairstyle is pretty interesting, seems modern.
She has the classical Roman nose bridge....................
Just goes to show you that certain styles really never change, they just rotate....................
Looks a bit like Liza Minelli.................
But lots better looking.
Beautiful portrait. Impressive accomplishments abound.
So, must have been a cool, low-maintenance style.
Reminds me of the period hairstyles in Jane Austen movies - early 19th century.
I think they kept the hair short to avoid head lice.
Recent historical research indicates that this woman may have lived in a household that held slaves, so it will be sandblasted off the masonry next Wednesday morning.
From the looks, probably an upper class Roman of the time. A SLAVE OWNER! DESTROY!
Photos of Herculaneum
https://www.google.com/search?q=Herculaneum&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiZtvPjm-vVAhUU_GMKHRQXAgIQ_AUIDCgD&biw=1518&bih=810
Note: this topic is from . Thanks BenLurkin.
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