A mobile instrument for in situ scanning macro-XRF investigation of historical paintings

Alfeld, Matthias; Pedroso, Joana Vaz; Hommes, Margriet van Eikema; Snickt, Geert Van der; Tauber, Gwen; Blaas, Jorik; Haschke, Michael; Erler, Klaus; Dik, Joris; Janssens, Koen

doi:10.1039/c3ja30341a

Cited by 213 publications

(157 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…Macroscopic X-ray fluorescence maps were collected using a Bruker M6 Jetstream instrument [14]. The instrument consists of a measuring head with a Rhodium-target microfocus X-ray tube (30 W, maximum voltage 50 kV, maximum current 0.6 mA), and a 30 mm 2 XFlash silicon drift detector (SDD) with beryllium window (energy resolution <145 eV at Mn-Ka).…”

Section: Ma-xrfmentioning

confidence: 99%

Artificial orpiment, a new pigment in Rembrandt’s palette

et al. 2017

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This paper reports on how the application of macro X-ray fluorescence (MA-XRF) imaging, in combination with the re-examination of existing paint cross-sections, has led to the discovery of a new pigment in Rembrandt's palette: artificial orpiment. In the NWO Science4Arts 'ReVisRembrandt' project, novel chemical imaging techniques are being developed and applied to the study of Rembrandt's late paintings in order to help resolve outstanding questions and to gain a better understanding of his late enigmatic painting technique. One of the selected case studies is the Portrait of a Couple as Isaac and Rebecca, known as 'The Jewish Bride' , dated c. 1665 and on view in the Rijksmuseum. During the re-installation of the Rijksmuseum in 2013, the picture was scanned using the Bruker M6 Jetstream MA-XRF scanner. The resulting elemental distribution maps made it possible to distinguish many features in the painting, such as bone black remains of the original hat (P, Ca maps), and the now discolored smalt-rich background (Co, Ni, As, K maps). The arsenic (As) map also revealed areas of high-intensity in Isaac's sleeve and Rebecca's dress where it could be established that it was not related with the pigment smalt that also contains arsenic. This pointed to the presence of a yellow or orange arsenic-containing pigment, such as realgar or orpiment that is not associated with the artist's palette. Subsequent examination of existing paint cross-sections from these locations taken by Karin Groen in the 1990s identified isolated, almost perfectly round particles of arsenic sulfide. The round shape corresponds with published findings on a purified form of artificial orpiment glass obtained by dry processing, a sublimation reaction. In bright field, the particles characteristically exhibit a dark cross in the middle caused by internal light reflections. The results of additional non-invasive techniques (portable XRD and portable Raman) are discussed, as well as the implications of this finding and how it fits with Rembrandt's late experimental painting technique.

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Section: Ma-xrfmentioning

confidence: 99%

Artificial orpiment, a new pigment in Rembrandt’s palette

et al. 2017

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“…4, K α lines between 3.31 keV (K -K α ) and 26.27 keV (Sb -K α ) have sensitivity values between 10 4 and 10 7 cps ∖ (mA ⋅ wt.%), reaching a maximum in the region between 7.5 and 14.2 keV (2.10 6 cps ∖ (mA ⋅ wt.%)). The decrease of sensitivity from 23 keV (K α -Cd) is due to the lower transmission at higher energies of the polycapillary optics (Alfeld et al, 2013;Vittiglio et al, 1999) (see Fig. 3) and the high level of bremsstrahlung background.…”

Section: Analytical Capabilitiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

In-situ non-destructive analysis of Etruscan gold jewels with the micro-XRF transportable spectrometer from CNA

Scrivano

Ruberto

Gómez-Tubío

et al. 2017

Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports

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A B S T R A C TThe study of valuable Cultural Heritage objects frequently requires non-destructive analysis with good sensitivity. Moreover, it is often necessary that the measures are carried out in-situ, in particular when transport of the items from the institutions to the laboratory is not allowed.In this work, the technical specifications of the micro-XRF spectrometer developed at the CNA in Seville is presented and its analytical capabilities are tested by means of the analysis of a set of Etruscan gold jewels of the National Archaeological Museum of Florence. Since these jewels are characterized by elaborate decorations, with details of typical dimensions down to tens of microns, a high lateral resolution is required to study the features of these objects. The challenge consists in the characterization of the welding/soldering zones and the details of the jewels that present a very complex geometry. This paper shows the micro-XRF in-situ analysis of 15 Etruscan gold jewels (from the VII century BCE) in order to characterize the alloy composition of sheets, threads, filigrees, granules, as well as the joining zones. Based on these results, the manufacture technique and the production process employed by the Etruscan goldsmiths could be described.

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“…For this study, the M6 JetStream scanning system from Bruker Nano GmbH was employed [8]. It permits large surface scans -up to 70 cm × 55 cm with lateral resolution up to 50 μm.…”

Section: Additional Analytical Techniques Macroxrf Scanningmentioning

confidence: 99%

The potential of OCT for assessing laser assisted removal of deposits from ceramic tiles

Iwanicka¹,

Musiela²,

Łukaszewicz³

et al. 2017

Proceedings of the International Conference LACONA XI

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Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), the technique of non-invasive imaging of transparent and semi-transparent sub-surface layers was employed to monitor the state of glazes of historic tiles before and after laser ablation trials. The laser used was Nd:YAG Thunder Art system from LightForArt (El. En. S.p.A.). In this paper, OCT cross-sectional images of both fragments and preserved historic tiles before, during and after laser ablation are shown to examine the process of the removal of surface deposits as well as mid-twentieth century conservation coatings. In case of some of the ceramic fragments (donated to science) the destruction of the glaze layer after a few steps of laser cleaning was induced intentionally and then visualized with OCT. The experiments performed confirmed that OCT is a potential diagnostic tool for the assessment and monitoring of laser removal of deposits from semi-transparent glazes on historic tiles, as well as enabled to define and identify specific risk factors for these objects, such as pre-existing cracks or delaminations within the glaze layer.

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A mobile instrument for in situ scanning macro-XRF investigation of historical paintings

Cited by 213 publications

References 14 publications

Artificial orpiment, a new pigment in Rembrandt’s palette

Artificial orpiment, a new pigment in Rembrandt’s palette

In-situ non-destructive analysis of Etruscan gold jewels with the micro-XRF transportable spectrometer from CNA

The potential of OCT for assessing laser assisted removal of deposits from ceramic tiles

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