The Judgement of Paris

Summary of the results of a technical examination carried out on the painting at the Balboa Art conservation Center employing the following methods: stereomicroscopy, infrared reflectography (900-1700nm), UV-examination, x -radiography and XRF-analysis.

- a wooden panel in vertical format with the grain running parallel to the length (height) of the panel

- probably consisting of three, butt-joined planks

- the X-radiograph shows fibres spread along the joins and transversely across the panel beneath the ground layer

- the top edge is bevelled suggesting the panel may have been fitted in an engaged (grooved) frame

- a white, calcium-based ground of medium thickness that is visible in areas of paint abrasion and on all four edges of the pictorial plane

- a barbe along all four edges of the panel

- lines incised in the ground layer visible along the edges of the panel

- the left, right, and lower edges have an unprimed boarder measuring c. 0.5 - 1 cm

- infrared reflectography shows some thin dark lines executed freehand with brush and fluid medium to roughly fix the main contours with sparse elaboration of detail

- additional lines may have been executed employing a dry medium (black chalk?)

- minor deviations visible between the underdrawing and the final painted version (e. g. the positions of heads, arms, legs and feet of the goddesses)

- black demarcation lines located along the barbe and paint located outside of the borders of ground layer are indicators that a temporary, fixed frame was used

- the pigments identified using XFR analysis are consistent with those found on other paintings from the Cranach workshop: lead white, lead tin yellow, azurite, vermilion, earth pigments, bone or ivory black and copper greens

- gilded, wooden Cassetta-style frame, continuous floral/scrollwork over black toning

[Unpublished examination report, BACC, 23.05-26.07.2019] [Unpublished examination report, Heydenreich, 13.05.2020]

Summary of examination report:

• the painting is in an unstable structural condition

Support:

• thinned and cradled

• some damage to the panel is visible that was probably caused during the thinning process and the cradling

Paint layers:

• stresses from the cradle have caused tenting and cracking, mainly in the fills and retouching but also in areas of original paint

• areas of abrasion and other mechanical damage have been retouched

[Unpublished examination report, BACC, 23.05-26.07.2019]