The scientific examination of polychrome sculptures in Friuli (Italy): new insights into the materials and panting techniques of German workshops from the 17th to the 19th century

This paper presents the results of the technical examination of a number of polychrome sculptures, dated to the 17th-18th Centuries, located in the North-Eastern area of Italy (Friuli) and attributed on their stylistic characteristics to generic German workshops. Evidence of scientific analysis was used to support authorship and to investigate the presence of technical differences due to the influence of Italian artists. Whilst the investigation provided a comprehensive overview of the painting/gilding materials and techniques, this contribution intentionally focuses on results concerning the samples taken from the flesh areas of the sculptures. An account is finally given of SICaR, the web-GIS system used to store the results of the investigation and make them available on-line