Proteomic analysis of Renaissance stucco: development of the analytical protocol and first results

This study proposes a proteomic-based strategy for the identification of proteins and their biological origin in stucco artworks from Italian Renaissance period in the context of the ESPRIT project (Études des Stucs Polychromés de la Renaissance Italienne). Three samples were studied: Virgin and Child, type Santa Maria Nuova (after Antonio Rossellino) from the Louvre Museum collection in Paris (Campana 19); Virgin and Child (after Benedetto da Maiano) (MBA 507) and Virgin and Child (Circle of Luca della Robbia) (MBA 247), both from the Museum of Fine Arts in Strasbourg collection. The analytical methodology was firstly evaluated using stucco mock up built with model proteins/binders. Various protocols were tested to extract very limited amounts of proteins from the inorganic matrix. The optimized workflow was successfully applied to historic samples showing identification of collagens and their biological origin.