The present paper illustrates the results of a diagnostic investigation performed on the oil on c... more The present paper illustrates the results of a diagnostic investigation performed on the oil on canvas painting “The Glory of St. Barbara” (1680–1688) by Mattia Preti. The painting is located inside the St. Barbara Church in Taverna (Catanzaro, Italy), the city that gave birth to the artist. In situ, non-invasive studies, by applying X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy, along with laboratory micro-destructive analytical investigations, by employing electron probe microanalyses (EPMA) coupled with energy-dispersive spectrometry (EDS) and micro-Raman (µ-Raman) spectroscopy, were combined to retrieve the color palette and identify the painting technique and style of the famous master. As a result of this multi-scale characterization, an extraordinary pictorial technique was revealed, enriching knowledge about one of the oldest pictorial traditions outlined by Mattia Preti, and solving doubts still existing about many of his investigated artworks. Moreover, the achieved results repres...
Lo Stato dell'Arte 12-Atti del IGIIC-Congresso Nazionale XII - Milano 23/25 ottobre 2014
THE CHURCH OF SAINT CATHERINE IN VALLETTA AND OIL PAINTING ON THE WALL . RESTORATION AS A CASE ST... more THE CHURCH OF SAINT CATHERINE IN VALLETTA AND OIL PAINTING ON THE WALL . RESTORATION AS A CASE STUDY ON THE TECHNIQUE OF PAINTING MATTIA PRETI IN MALTA)
The present paper illustrates the results of a diagnostic investigation performed on the oil on c... more The present paper illustrates the results of a diagnostic investigation performed on the oil on canvas painting “The Glory of St. Barbara” (1680–1688) by Mattia Preti. The painting is located inside the St. Barbara Church in Taverna (Catanzaro, Italy), the city that gave birth to the artist. In situ, non-invasive studies, by applying X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy, along with laboratory micro-destructive analytical investigations, by employing electron probe microanalyses (EPMA) coupled with energy-dispersive spectrometry (EDS) and micro-Raman (µ-Raman) spectroscopy, were combined to retrieve the color palette and identify the painting technique and style of the famous master. As a result of this multi-scale characterization, an extraordinary pictorial technique was revealed, enriching knowledge about one of the oldest pictorial traditions outlined by Mattia Preti, and solving doubts still existing about many of his investigated artworks. Moreover, the achieved results repres...
Lo Stato dell'Arte 12-Atti del IGIIC-Congresso Nazionale XII - Milano 23/25 ottobre 2014
THE CHURCH OF SAINT CATHERINE IN VALLETTA AND OIL PAINTING ON THE WALL . RESTORATION AS A CASE ST... more THE CHURCH OF SAINT CATHERINE IN VALLETTA AND OIL PAINTING ON THE WALL . RESTORATION AS A CASE STUDY ON THE TECHNIQUE OF PAINTING MATTIA PRETI IN MALTA)
Miranda Publications, 2012. Photography by Enrico Formica. English Text. Malta, 2012; clothbound... more Miranda Publications, 2012. Photography by Enrico Formica. English Text. Malta, 2012; clothbound in a case, pp. 224, b/w and col. plates, cm 23x38. This is about Mattia Preti's work in Malta, the outcome of a project that included the restoration and the study of a few of the most significant works of art by the artist. The data obtained from these interventions, tied up with archival research and attention given to published documents (already known documents) allow us to demonstrate that works from Preti's last Neapolitan phase (1656-58) were actually executed during the early years of his sojourn in Malta, summer 1659, therefore directing new light on the Calabrian artist's painterly activities both in Italy as well as in Malta.
(Photo by Daniel Cilia - Malta), Midsea Books, La Valletta, 2008. leg.ed. sopracop.fig.a col. Fot... more (Photo by Daniel Cilia - Malta), Midsea Books, La Valletta, 2008. leg.ed. sopracop.fig.a col. Fotografie di Daniel Cilia. The Cappella d'Italia project is the last in a series of important conservation projects that were financed through the Italo-Maltese Financial Protocol. The restoration work on the Cappella d'Italia within the Conventual Church of the Order of St. John is a unique and fully integrated conservation project. It introduced innovative environmental monitoring in the Co-Cathedral to ensure proper scientific solutions. The restoration brought together various specialised restoration disciplines, ensuring a holistic restoration approach. Text in Italian. cm.23x30, pp.524, centinaia di figg.a col.nt.
On the occasion of the exhibition "Melchiorre Cafà - Maltese sculptur of Roman Baroque", held in ... more On the occasion of the exhibition "Melchiorre Cafà - Maltese sculptur of Roman Baroque", held in Palazzo de Pire, Mdina, Malta, between 4 Dicember 2011 and 2012, curated by Sante Guido, Giuseppe Mantella.
Nel volume, interamente a colori, con testi di Ezio Mattiocco, Sante Guido e Giuseppe Mantella, c... more Nel volume, interamente a colori, con testi di Ezio Mattiocco, Sante Guido e Giuseppe Mantella, cosi come già presentato nel catalogo della mostra tenutasi a Roma (2008), a Chieti e a L'Aquila (2009) dal titolo "Nicola da Guardiagrele orafo tra medioevo e rinascimento", a cura di Sante Guido, si tratteggia la storia del meraviglioso antependium, l'opera più nota di Nicola di Guardiagrele, firmata e datata 1433-1448.
L' antependium decora l'altare maggiore della Cattedrale di Teramo ed è realizzata in argento e argento dorato con 35 formelle, con figure finemente sbalzate e cesellate, narranti la storia della vita del Cristo e 22 lastrine in smalto traslucido con figure di Apostoli e Profeti, tutte riprodotte a piena pagina. Nel volume è inoltre tratteggiata la biografia di Nicola da Guardiagrele, ad opera di Sante Guido, nella quale si ripercorre la vita e si descrivono le moltissime opere di questi che è considerato il più capace e noto artista abruzzese, maestro insuperato nell'arte dell'oreficeria ecclesiastica tra il 1380 ed il 1460
S. Guido - G. Mantella, A Great Siege for the Grand Cardinal -On occasion of the 450th anniversar... more S. Guido - G. Mantella, A Great Siege for the Grand Cardinal -On occasion of the 450th anniversary of the Siege of Malta -1565, in "Vigilo - Din L-Art Helwa", gennaio 2016, 2, Malta, pp. 55-59.
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L' antependium decora l'altare maggiore della Cattedrale di Teramo ed è realizzata in argento e argento dorato con 35 formelle, con figure finemente sbalzate e cesellate, narranti la storia della vita del Cristo e 22 lastrine in smalto traslucido con figure di Apostoli e Profeti, tutte riprodotte a piena pagina. Nel volume è inoltre tratteggiata la biografia di Nicola da Guardiagrele, ad opera di Sante Guido, nella quale si ripercorre la vita e si descrivono le moltissime opere di questi che è considerato il più capace e noto artista abruzzese, maestro insuperato nell'arte dell'oreficeria ecclesiastica tra il 1380 ed il 1460