Luce e materia. L’uso del blu egizio tra pittura e scultura

The recent development of non-invasive analysis techniques for the study of ancient polychromy makes it possible to more accurately identify the materials and technical processes used by painters. A type of multi-band photographic analysis (VIL, Visible Induced Luminescence) allows the presence of Egyptian blue to be traced with great accuracy, even if mixed in small quantities with other pigments and therefore invisible to the naked eye. This contribution aims to show this particular pigment was used much more frequently than suspected, on different supports, to lend greater brilliance to certain colours (e.g. white) and to create thickness and depth on the surfaces it covered.