Fig. 5

Selection of paint cross-sections from Homer showing the abundant use of smalt. First row Sample x06 Homer’s cap, light microscopic image, dark field (DF) (a), and corresponding SEM backscattered-electron (BSE) image (b), and EDX map of silicon (Si) indicative of smalt (c). The cross-section shows only the second greyish brown ground (layer 2), a dark brown sketch/undermodelling layer comprising bone black, earth pigments and some smalt (layer 3), and the surface paint containing a large amount of (now discolored) smalt, with additions of bone black, yellow earth, red earth and yellow lake (layer 4). Second row Sample x34 Homer’s belt, DF image (d), BSE image (e), and corresponding EDX map of Si (f). e and f are from a different region than d. The cross-section is incomplete (ground layers are missing), showing a single paint layer packed with (now discolored) smalt, with additions of bone black, yellow earth and red earth. Blue azurite particles (white arrow) are visible at the bottom of the layer. Third row Sample x27 right background, DF image (g), and corresponding ultraviolet (UV) image (h), and BSE image with smalt particles marked in blue (i). The cross-section shows the second greyish brown ground (layer 2), the dark brown sketch/undermodelling comprising organic brown (probably Kassel earth), bone black, yellow lake, red lake, red earth, yellow earth, with a few particles of smalt (layer 3), a thin intermediate varnish (layer 4), and the background paint containing yellow lake, organic brown (probably Kassel earth), bone black, red lake, yellow earth, red earth, and a few particles of smalt (layer 5)