Seite - 259 - in The Vienna Genesis - Material analysis and conservation of a Late Antique illuminated manuscript on purple parchment

Sophie Rabitsch, Christa Hofmann, Junko Sonderegger 259 ver chloride. Environmental factors like the exposure to high humidity or water in addition to external chlorine prod- ucts enhanced degradation processes of ink and parchment. Considering the eventful history of the manuscript, the miniatures have survived in surprisingly good condi- tion. Nevertheless, the following changes could be observed. Most miniatures show abra- sion, cracks in the paint layers and losses in different degrees (Fig. 23). Larger losses can be found on folios 1 on both pages, folio 2, page 3, folio 3, page 6, folio 5, page 10, folio 11 on both pages, folio 12, page 24, folio 13, page 25, folio 14, page 27, folio 17, page 36, and folio 18, page 36. Paint layers mixed with lead white, such as seen in the incarnate areas, frequently show losses. On folios 11 to 14, the copper blue pigment azurite has caused brown migration to the verso of the parchment (Fig. 24), see chapter on the miniatures. The same phenomenon was caused by the use of the copper green pigment malachite on folio 8. On many folios small patches of colour have been transferred from another page, possibly due to water damage or high humidity: e. g. folio 4, page 8, folio 5, page 9, folio 12 on both pages, folio 13 on both pages, folio 14, page 28, folio 15 on both pages, folio 17, page 35, folio 18 on both pages, folio 22, page 44, folio 23 on both pages, and folio 24, page 48 (Fig. 25). A large round lacuna in the painting layer can be found on folio 23, page 46, and corresponding on folio 24, page 47 (Fig. 26). This loss might be caused by a wax drop and the subsequent adhesion of the two pages. Yellow and white stains on the miniatures could originate from the use of candles or oil lamps next to the codex. Stains with a wax- like appearance show yellow fluorescence under UV-light, e. g. a stain in Joseph’s face on Fig. 21: Cracks and losses on folio 20 in transmitted light. Fig. 22: Folded flaps of parchment, folio 21, page 42. Open-Access-Publikation im Sinne der CC-Lizenz BY 4.0