From Lazarus To Theophilus:
How Manuscript Digitization Led To The Historical, Chemical, and
Technological Understanding of Iron Gall Ink and Its Counterparts
Meredith Oliver
B.S. Pharmaceutical Sciences
Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College Thesis Defense ~ April 23, 2015
Vercelli, Italy 2013
Fondazione Museo del Tesoro del Duomo
Multi-Spectral Imaging
http://orgspectroscopyint.blogspot.com/p/basics-of-uv-visible-spectroscopy.html
Purpose:
• Preserve History
• Reveal History
Codex A
Vercelli Book - Ink
"
Vercelli Book – 10
thCentury Old English
Anthology
" 23 religious homilies
" 6 poems
" 6 folios are damaged
"
Ink Fluorescence
Iron Gall Ink
Properties
•
Black
•
Acidic Ingredients
•
Tannic Acid
•
Iron Sulfate
•
Solvent
•
Binder
http://art-conservation.tumblr.com/post/63647753126/nedcc-lacing-from-iron-gall-ink-deterioration
Fermentation Process
Tannic Acid:
Gallotannic Acid
Tannin Acylhydrolase
Gallic Acid 10 polyphenols
1 polyphenol
Iron Gall Ink
1) Ink Appearance 2) Fluidity
3) Color Intensity
Tannin Separation
Iron Gall Ink
Gallotannic Acid
" Homogeneous Ink
" Exceptional Fluidity
" Rich Black Pigment
100% Tannic Acid
" Heterogeneous - Dark
Globular Precipitates
" Discontinuous Fluidity
" Faint Color
http://www.agilent.com/home
?
http://ipch.yale.edu/x-ray-fluorescence-spectrometer
Technology and Ink Composition
UV-vis Spectrometer
Micro-X-ray Fluorescence
Multi-Spectral Imaging
Comparing UV-vis & Multi-Spectral
" Ink Samples = UV-Vis Spectroscopy
" Absorbance Data
" Parchment Samples = Multi-Spectral
" 360-940 nm – 16 photos
" Grayscale Values
Comparing UV-vis & Multi Spectral
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6
250 350 450 550 650 750 850
Absorbance
Wavelength (nm)
UV-vis Absorbance
Multi-Spectral Absorbance
Conclusion: Multi-Spectral Imaging System shows promise in revealing information regarding ink’s absorbance capabilities.
Vercelli, Italy 2014
Vercelli Book
"
ARTAX micro-XRF
"
Multi-Spectral
Imaging
Micro-XRF : Vercelli Book
Main Element: Calcium (Ca2+)
" Lack of metal sulfates
" No significant calcium concentration
decrease in the parchment
Evidence suggests ink is plant based:
" 11th century, tannin based inks
" Lack iron sulfate component
" Homogeneous quality – brown color
http://theodoregray.com/periodictable/Tiles/020/s12.JPG
Theophilus Ink
"
Theophilus Presbyter: German Monk
"
De Diversis Artibus
" Dry thorn-tree wood for 2-4 weeks
" Ferment bark for 8 days in water
" Repeatedly boil water à thorn bark reduction
" Wine is added as a secondary solvent
" “Add a little atramentum” – carbon
http://turba-delirantium.skyrocket.de/biographien/theophilus_presbyter.ht m
Digital Humanities
Interdisciplinary Team
Dr. Gregory Heyworth Keith Knox Dr. Roger Easton Michael Phelps
Ken Boydston Ira Rabin & Oliver Hahn
