Analysis of the Materials and Painting Techniques Used in Medieval Mural Paintings in Slovenia up to 1380

Scientific analytical methods are becoming increasingly more important for a truly comprehensive understanding and better-grounded interpretation of visual works of art. Until recently, the study of artworks had been narrowly focusing on stylistic classification, on resolving open questions of iconography and on establishing stylistic links between particular mural cycles using the traditional means of stylistic analysis, since these are the principal tasks of art history. But not all information can be gathered by this approach only, considering that artists also expressed themselves through their selection of materials and the mastering of painting techniques, which in turn affects the modelling (which is softer or rougher as a result), as well as the subsequent conservation of the artwork in later centuries. Therefore, art historians need to collaborate with natural scientists, principally chemists, physicists, geologists, biologists as well as with conservators and restorers in order to fully understand a given monument not only in terms of its artistic form but also in terms of its material structure and execution technique. Such an interdisciplinary approach can inform intervention procedures and enable a perdurable conservation of monuments. ; Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency J6-2587 ; Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency