Unveiled materials and techniques in wall paintings hidden for centuries in the church of San Francesco del Prato (Parma, Italy)

Abstract The church of San Francesco del Prato in Parma (Italy) is a masterpiece the Gothic style, dated back to 13th century. However, its historical and monumental value could not be appreciated for long time, especially due transformation building into city jail. recent restoration works brought light valuable frescos wall paintings belonging different periods. An situ campaign was performed on 15th-century adorning vault walls apse, by using mobile Raman X-ray fluorescence equipment. characterization art pieces further carried out with micro-Raman spectroscopy gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analyses. Overall, quick thorough identification colours palette successfully obtained through measurements. Laboratory analyses corroborated understanding techniques pigments binders. In addition, highlighted presence degradation products. Interestingly, pigment hierarchy has been noted relation painted contents, enhancing preciousness holy figures their distinctive details.