Technika i technologia średniowiecznych rysunków i pisma na pergaminie

The article is a brief summary of the second part of the diploma work written at Arts Conservation Department of the Academy o f Fine Arts in Cracow, under the direction of Professor W. Ślesiński. Attempts have been made there to reconstruct the technology and technique o f drawings and writings on parchment in the Middle Ages. Tn this field both technique and technology may be misinterpreted due to big aesthetic and artistic changes taking place in time. The work has been based on the analysis of source information and on the results of direct examination of the genuine objects. 14 exemplary drawings and writings on parchment dating back to the period from 12th to 17th century have been examiied. The following methods have been employed in the studies: chemical laser microanalysis, thin-layer chromatography, observations in the ultraviolet and infra-red light (together with ph otographic documentation). Of great help were also detailed macroscopic and microscopic observations in the incident and passing light. A schematic comparison o f the results obtained is given in the table. The technology of writing and drawing agents (mainly inks) as well as the technique o f applying them onto the parchment in the Middle Ages have been reconstructed on the basis of the comparison o f the information acquired from sources texts and the resilts o f the studies.