Multi-Analytical Approach to the Study of Oleksandr Murashko’s Portrait of architect G. P. Schleifer from the Kyiv History Museum’s Collection

Abstract

The purpose of the article is to conduct a comprehensive technological investigation of the painting Portrait of architect G. P. Schleifer by Oleksandr Murashko from the collection of the Kyiv History Museum, identify the materials used by the artist, and introduce the obtained results into academic discourse. The methodology is based on a multi-analytical approach, combining theoretical (particularly comparative analysis) and empirical methods. The empirical component includes optical techniques (examination in the visible, ultraviolet, and infrared ranges of the electromagnetic spectrum, as well as optical microscopy) and physicochemical methods (X-ray fluorescence analysis and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy). Scientific novelty. This research is the first to investigate the composition and technological features of the painting’s support and ground layers, to identify the pigment palette, and to detect changes that occurred during the painting’s history of use. Conclusions. The study revealed that the artist used a medium-grain cotton canvas and established the characteristics and composition of the ground layer. It was also determined that the painting underwent adjustments during its creation, including refinements of details and compositional revisions. The pigments of the paint layer were identified, confirming that the palette is typical for Murashko’s works from the 1900s–1910s. The findings validate the museum’s attribution and reveal later interventions, particularly a significant reduction in the size of the canvas, that took place during the painting’s post-creation history. These results provide a valuable foundation for further research into the technological aspects of Oleksandr Murashko’s oeuvre.