Rubens' painting as inspiration of a later tapestry: non-invasive analyses provide insight into artworks history.

DAL FOVO, ALICIA; FEDELI, ANA MARÍA; GRAZZI, FRANCESCO; FONTANA, RAFFAELLA; STRIOVA, JANA; MORITA, MARÍA MERCEDES; CIMÒ, MARTA; PAMPALONI, ENRICO; AMAYA, DAFNE; CIRRINCIONE, CLAUDIA

MICROCHEMICAL JOURNAL

ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV

Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2019 vol. 153

0026-265X

The 17th century painting Madonna della Cesta by Rubens and its presumed textile reproduction created by Févèrefor the House of Medici were analysed in comparison. A number of non-invasive optical techniques were applied withthe aim to identify similarities and differences between tapestry and painting, in order to shed light on a possible linkbetween their respective authors. The use of a multi-analytical approach proved effective for the acquisition oficonographic, morphological, structural, and compositional information for a comprehensive characterization of the twoartworks. While serving as relevant support for documentation and conservation purposes, data so obtained alsoprovide evidence of the uncanny resemblance between the two artworks, and specifically suggest the use by Févèreof the same large-scale preparatory drawing (carton) realized by Rubens for his oil painting.