Johannes Draconites

The panel is 0.7 cm thick, probably oak wood. The edges are irregularly bevelled on three sides.

- an underdrawing with fine lines defining the contours is visible in the infrared reflectogram

- in some sections hatching strokes can be discerned

Using XRF analysis neither copper (azurite) nor cobalt (smalt) were identified in the blue background. Under the stereomicroscope no large crystals were found, instead the pigment particles are small and round, suggesting a synthetic organic blue pigment. No indication of the usual anorganic blue pigment found on 16th century paintings, the use of indigo cannot be excluded, but the dark blue tone of indigo is not typical for the 16th century.

Chrome (chrome yellow) was identified in the hair; chrome yellow only became available after 1800.

[unpublished examination report, G. Heydenreich, 2019]

DESCRIPTION

Tools/Material:

- dry, black drawing material

Type/Ductus:

- freehand underdrawing

- fine lines

- hatching strokes

Function:

- binding for the final painted version; lines define the main contours and describe essential details and facial features; representation of volume with hatching strokes

Deviations:

- minor corrections were made to forms during the painting process; few changes

INTERPRETATION

Attribution:

- not possible

Comments:

- probably after a pre-existing design

[Sandner, Smith-Contini, Heydenreich, cda 2020]

The appearance of the network of cracks is unusual for a 16th century painting. The splashes of paint in the background and the numerous painted strands of hair and fur that transverse the craquelée are also unusual for the 16th century. It is also surprising that the green glaze in the background was partially applied over sections of abraded paint. The ageing cracks were probably produced artificially.