Carla Machado is a Portuguese PhD student at the NOVA School of Science and Technology and member of the Vicarte Research Unit. She is studying the evolution of the grisaille paint composition throughout time and countries. Grisaille was the first paint applied on stained-glass panels in Europe since the 12th century.
She chose analyses in the IPERION HS catalogue of services, submitted a proposal and got granted access to the FIXLAB facilities in Spain. She travelled from Portugal to the Rocasolano Institute of Physical Chemistry in Madrid (Spain), bringing together samples to be analysed by Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy, Laser Induced Fluorescence and Nonlinear Optical Microscopy complemented with Multiphoton Excitation Fluorescence under the supervision of Marta Castillejo and her research staff.
The aims of Carla’s project were to collect scientific data regarding the chemical composition and thickness of the grisaille paint in a non-destructive way and to understand the technological development of the grisaille across time.
In the video, Carla explains why her research benefitted from the experience and the discussion with experts in the field.
Special thanks to the platform Patrimonio Abierto: Investigación y Sociedad for creating the video!