Study of the effects of fire on the tables of the Master of san Narciso - Franci Joan (1481-1515) of the Metropolitan Basilica Cathedral Church of Valencia

This work presents the studies carried out by the Institut Valencia de Conservacio, Restauracio i Investigacio (IVCR+i) in two paintings on panels, which would be part of the Altarpiece of san Narciso, commissioned to Franci Joan (1481-1515) on December 7, 1503 by the Brotherhood of san Narciso. The works are part of the set of panels of the Metropolitan Basilica Cathedral Church of Valencia that were seriously affected by the fire in 1936, so they present a totally darkened surface that makes it impossible to obtain information on the original image, color and execution technique. The objectives of this study were to clarify the artistic-technological aspects of the painting of the Master of Saint Narcissus-Franci Joan and, on the other hand, to carry out a study on the mechanisms of alteration of pictorial materials due to the effects of high temperatures, based on the results of microscopic studies (OM vis-UV, SEM), spectroscopic (EDX, FTIR-ATR), or as may be the macro X-ray fluorescence (MA-FRX) or digital radiography.These results will make it possible to establish, in a second phase of work, an action protocol against the most suitable stabilization and cleaning intervention methodologies.