XRF investigation of the Monument to the Fallen of the Great War by Francesco Jerace in San Ferdinando (Reggio Calabria, Italy)

Francesco Caridi, Simona Mancini, Giuseppe Paladini, Pasquale Faenza, Vincenza Crupi, Valentina Venuti, Domenico Majolino

Abstract

The Monument to the Fallen of the Great War in San Ferdinando (Reggio Calabria, Italy) consists of a copper-based alloy sculpture, made in the 1920s by Francesco Jerace (1853-1937), dedicated in memory of the sub-lieutenant Vito Nunziante and the fallen soldiers from the Great War. It has an important heritage value for the city of San Ferdinando, of which it is considered an identity symbol, and for Southern Italy as well. Due to its proximity and exposure to the marine environment, the monument is a key – example for the characterization of the elemental and molecular composition of the superficial layers of the alloy and the related corrosion products, gathering important in-formation on both the materials and the state of conservation of the sculpture. With this aim in mind, this research highlights the results of a study carried out in situ at elemental scale, by portable X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy, on the occasion of the recent restoration of the monument promoted by the municipality of San Ferdinando.

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IMEKO-MetroArchaeo-2023-159.pdf

DOI

10.21014/tc4-ARC-2023.159

IMEKO TC

TC4 - Measurement of Electrical Quantities

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