Reading behaviour of the Greek population 1998–1999: National Book Centre of Greece

The National Book Centre of Greece has conducted a quantitative research in November 1998–January 1999 that covered the whole country of Greece, with sample size of 3.807 Greek citizens, aged 15 years old and over. The aim of this research was to answer questions such as how much do Greeks read, what kind of books do they prefer, what are their main representations about book reading, what are the main reasons for not reading and, in general, to define the population of readers in Greece and analyze their reading practices using both quantitative and qualitative criteria. We also tried to examine the relation of book reading with other cultural and leisure time activities.     

A post-Byzantine icon of St Nicholas painted on a leather support. Microanalysis and characterisation of technique

The pigments, organic materials and techniques used on a post-Byzantine icon of St Nicholas were determined by means of several micro-analytical techniques. The icon painter covered the leather support with silver leaf about 3 μm thick to create a smooth working surface. Animal glue was used to secure the leaf to the leather, and FTIR spectroscopy has identified another layer, 30–60 μm thick, of the same material applied as a primer above the silver. Above that, a layer of lead white covering the entire surface creates a white substratum serving the same purpose as the gesso on a wood panel. The colour palette, determined by means of scanning electron microscopy and FTIR spectroscopy, is very simple. Only seven colours were identified: lead white, caput mortuum, red and yellow ochre, cinnabar, carbon black and smalt. As far as we know, this is the first time that smalt has been found on a Byzantine icon. Since smalt was chemically synthesised only after 1500 AD, it may be concluded that this icon was painted after the end of the 15th century. Beeswax was used as a protective varnish.