*2.6. Preparation of Standard Paints*

In order to identify the colourants present in the manuscript under study, a spectral database was built by measuring FORS and micro-Raman spectra of reference paint samples applied on parchment. These were prepared in our laboratory by employing pictorial materials according to the indications contained in medieval treatises [1,2,4]. In consideration of the painting techniques mostly used by ancient illuminators, two binders were used to disperse pigments and lakes: egg white tempera and gum Arabic.
