Exploring a forgotten heritage: the case study of Saint Vincent Martyr’s simulacrum

Abstract

The simulacrum of Saint Vincent Martyr, one of four corpi santi at the Major Seminary of Coimbra, Portugal, features Roman-origin bonesmounted in metallic frameworks and covered with intricate Baroque garments. Enshrined within the urn-altar in Saint Michael’s Chapel, its remains were exhumed from the Catacomb of Priscila and brought to Portugal in 1760 by Bishop Count D. Miguel da Anunciação. This study employs a multianalytical approach to examine the simulacrum’s materiality, construction, and state of conservation. Non-invasive techniques, including digital radiography and borescope inspection, assessed structural integrity and skeletal arrangement. When feasible, micro-samples were collected for laboratory analysis. Optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy with chemical analysis were used to analyse paper, textile fibres, and metal threads, revealing evidence of both craftsmanship and deterioration patterns. Additionally, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy characterised adhesives, coatings, and pigments, while chromatographic techniques identified dyes in garments and wax components on the face. Results corroborated photochemical damage, textile decay, and structural alterations, with in situ radiographic analyses revealing misaligned skeletal remains. Notably, softwood pulp paper with kaolin and an emerald green pigment in the flower crown points to a 19th-century local intervention after the French invasions of 1810. Furthermore, calcium carbonate in wax and lead-based pigments with iron oxides on the simulacrum’s face indicate intentional methods to enhance durability and mimic human features. This study integrates material analysis with historical context to deepen understanding of Saint Vincent’s simulacrum, tracing its material transformations and informing future conservation strategies for similar artefacts.