Virtuous colours for Mary.Identification of lapis lazuli,smalt and cochineal in theAndean colonial image of OurLady of Copacabana (Bolivia)

VALERIA P. CAREAGA; MARTA S. MAIER; EUGENIA P. TOMASINI; CARLOS RÚA LANDA; FERNANDO MARTE; GABRIELA SIRACUSANO

PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY A-MATHEMATICAL PHYSICAL AND ENGINEERING SCIENCES

ROYAL SOC

Lugar: Londres; Año: 2016 vol. 374

1364-503X

The image of Our Lady of Copacabana, a gildedpolychrome sculpture carved in maguey wood in1583, is one of the most important devotions in theAmericas. In former research, we have identifiedthe use of gypsum, Armenian bole, cerussite andatacamite in its polychromy. In this study, a redsample taken from the Virgin?s tunic and a bluesample extracted from the cloak have been analysedwith the aim to identify both pigments and offer insights into the painting technique. Analysis by micro-Raman spectroscopy complementedwith scanning electron microscopy?energy dispersive spectroscopy and high-performanceliquid chromatography allowed the identification of carmine lake in the red sample. Analysisby micro-Raman spectroscopy of the surface of the blue sample and its cross section showedthe presence of smalt?the blue-glass pigment?over a cerussite layer, bathed by a verythin ultramarine layer?from a probable native origin?following a pictorial tradition thatwould last even until the eighteenth century. This is the first time that lapis lazuli has beenscientifically identified in a Spanish American colonial painted layer.This article is part of the themed issue ?Raman spectroscopy in art and archaeology?