21mc007-TE-2008_Turin, Galleria Sabauda, D. Seiter, Dead Christ supported by angels, inv. 1033

Facilitated description: 

 

The dead Christ supported by angels is a painting on canvas. 
The painter Daniel Seiter painted the painting during the 1600s. 
Scientists at the La Venaria Reale Conservation and Restoration Centre carried out scientific analyses to study the painting. 
Infrared analysis showed the original shape of the painting. In fact, the painting was smaller and in the shape of a hexagon (figure with six sides).
After it was enlarged and cambito shape in a rectangle.
Infrared analysis also showed paintings from the previous restoration.
Thanks to other scientific analyses, scientists have recognized some of the colors used by the painter.
X-ray analysis showed that under the painting there is a character with a helmet.
Perhaps the painting at first represented a different scene.

 

 

 

 

 

Abstract of the intervention: 

 

Scientific Analysis

The restorers of the Centre for Conservation and Restoration "La Venaria Reale" checked the state of conservation of the painting. For this purpose they have drawn up a technical document with the characteristics of the work and have made graphic mappings to display the results of the analysis.
The multispectral analyses were conducted with a view to deepening the knowledge on the work. Infrared analysis did not reveal the presence of the preparatory drawing, but showed the original shape of the painting (hexagonal) before its extension into the current rectangular format. The infrared also showed the presence of several touch-ups related to previous restorations.
The infrared analysis in false color allowed to identify some pigments, while the ultraviolet analysis showed the features of the hexagonal shape, the alteration of the protective and the numerous touch-ups. The X-ray instead revealed details no longer present in the final realization: the presence of a drapery in place of the face of Christ and next to a man with a helmet. The painting probably originally had another iconography.