Fwd: [Ind-Arch] Oil in ancient Buddhist paintings from Bamiyan

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[ind-Arch] Oil in ancient Buddhist paintings from BamiyanIndiaArchaeology

 

 

 

 

Synchrotron light unveils oil in ancient Buddhist paintings from Bamiyan

(Eurekalert 22-Apr-2008)

 

The world was in shock when in 2001 the Talibans destroyed two ancient

colossal Buddha statues in the Afghan region of Bamiyan. Behind those

statues, there are caves decorated with precious paintings from 5th to

9th century A.D. The caves also suffered from Taliban destruction, as

well as from a severe natural environment, but today they have become

the source of a major discovery. Scientists have proved, thanks to

experiments performed at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility

(ESRF), that the paintings were made of oil, hundreds of years before

the technique was " invented " in Europe. Results are published today in

the peer-reviewed Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry.

 

In many European history and art books, oil painting is said to have

started in the 15th century in Europe. But scientists from the

National Research Institute for Cultural Properties in Tokyo (Japan),

the Centre of Research and Restoration of the French Museums-CNRS

(France), the Getty Conservation Institute (United States) and the

ESRF have recently identified drying oils in some of the samples they

studied from the Bamiyan caves. Painted in the mid-7th century A.D.,

the murals show scenes with Buddhas in vermilion robes sitting

cross-legged amid palm leaves and mythical creatures. The scientists

discovered that 12 out of the 50 caves were painted with oil painting

technique, using perhaps walnut and poppy seed drying oils.

Researchers take samples from the caves at Bamiyan, in Afghanistan.

Click here for more information.

 

A combination of synchrotron techniques such as infrared

micro-spectroscopy, micro X-ray fluorescence, micro X-ray absorption

spectroscopy or micro X-ray diffraction was crucial for the outcome of

the work. " On one hand, the paintings are arranged as superposition of

multiple layers, which can be very thin. The micrometric beam provided

by synchrotron sources was hence essential to analyze separately each

of these layers. On the other hand, these paintings are made with

inorganic pigments mixed in organic binders, so we needed different

techniques to get the full picture " Marine Cotte, a research scientist

at CNRS and an ESRF scientific collaborator explains.

 

The results showed a high diversity of pigments as well as binders and

the scientists identified original ingredients and alteration

compounds. Apart from oil-based paint layers, some of the layers were

made of natural resins, proteins, gums, and, in some cases, a

resinous, varnish-like layer. Protein-based material can indicate the

use of hide glue or egg. Within the various pigments, the scientists

found a high use of lead whites. These lead carbonates were often

used, since Antiquity up to modern times, not only in paintings but

also in cosmetics as face whiteners.

A detail of a painting in the cave.

Click here for more information.

 

" This is the earliest clear example of oil paintings in the world,

although drying oils were already used by ancient Romans and

Egyptians, but only as medicines and cosmetics " , explains Yoko

Taniguchi, leader of the team.

 

The paintings are probably the work of artists who traveled on the

Silk Road, the ancient trade route between China, across Central

Asia's desert to the West. However, there are very few studies about

this region. " Due to political reasons research on paintings in

Central Asia is scarce. We were fortunate to get the opportunity from

UNESCO, as a part of conservation project for the World Heritage site

Bamiyan, to study these samples and we hope that future research may

provide deeper understanding of the painting techniques along the Silk

Road and the Eurasian area " , says Taniguchi.

 

The results were presented in a scientific conference in Japan last

January, but are only published today in a peer-reviewed journal.

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http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-04/esrf-slu042108.php

 

 

 

 

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