RECONSTRUCTION OF RAPHAEL SANTI’S PAINTING WORKSHOP FROM THE UMBRIAN-FLORENTINE PERIOD BASED ON THE AUTHORIAL REVERSE TECHNOLOGY

In the first stage of the research all the elements of painting technique and technology were developed, and painting materials as close as possible to those used by Raphael were prepared in order to obtain a research material compatible with the original material. Then, based on the technique and technology developed, an experimental image of the Madonna and Child was made as a test painting intended to simulate the complete structure of Raphael's original image. In the last stage, physicochemical tests of the experimental image were performed. Observation of the image in IR radiation, X-ray and stratigraphic examination of the image painting layers were performed. The infrared, X-ray and stratigraphic tests were compared with the analogous test results of three selected paintings by Raphael, which allowed interpretation of test results from the original works to a greater extent than before. In addition, experimental image research has highlighted the limitations of research into the stratigraphy of the painting layers, as well as instrumental studies that affect the current state of knowledge about Raphael Santi's painting workshop.