Raman and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy analysis of decorative ceramic tiles manufactured by Niculoso Pisano from the church of Flores de Ávila (Ávila, Spain)

Abstract

This paper shows the results obtained in the chemical and dynamic vibrational characterization of a set of decorative tiles from the Capilla de los Reyes of the church of Nuestra Señora del Castillo at Flores de Ávila (Ávila, Spain). This tilework, dating from 1526, contains extraordinary pieces produced by the famous Renaissance ceramicist and painter named Francisco Niculoso “El Pisano”. However, this relevant tilework has been relocated and rearranged along history. The last arrangement of the tiles was quite arbitrary, potentially mixing the work of “El Pisano” with other tile sets. The main objective of this work is the identification of the types of pigments used in the different shades of color, relating them with other works of the same author.