Analysis of pigments from Spanish works of art using a portable EDXRF spectrometer

Abstract

Nowadays there is an intensive program for the conservation, restoration and analysis of the impressive and extensive Spanish cultural heritage. In the last few years, the Unidad de Arqueometria of the ICMUV has carry out a great quantity of in situ EDXRF analysis of pigments on materials of historic and cultural interest (altarpieces, frescoes, canvas, sculptures, etc.) from museums and churches of the whole of the Spanish geography. Here we present a few examples of the analysis of works of art using x‐ray fluorescence spectrometry with a portable system based on x‐ray tubes and a non‐cryogenic Si‐PIN detector. EDXRF qualitative and non‐destructive analyses of stone, pigments and preparation layer of a polychrome sculpture from the Iberian period are compared with results obtained with destructive analytical techniques. The identification of inorganic key elements in a mural painting from the 14th and 15th centuries allowed the characterization of the pigments and techniques used by the artists and were a great help in the restoration process. The EDXRF analysis of a partially burnt medieval altarpiece allowed us to establish the elemental composition of the pigments from damaged and non‐damaged areas. Finally, we present part of the systematic EDXRF analysis of the pigments on canvas from the work of Joaquín Sorolla with the objective of constructing a wide database on their pictorial materials. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Analysis of sculptures using XRF and X-ray radiography

“…al, 2008), as a common impurity in earth colours. Moreover, the minerals hematite and goethite, used to obtain ochre pigments, can be found associated to anatase or rutile (TiO 2 ) and other minerals (Ferrero et al, 2002). Ti-rich orange-red boles were probably formed by lateritic weathering of neutral or mafic rocks, but such materials are probably not currently available commercially to artists and restorers.…”

Analysis of painted steel by a hand-held X-ray fluorescence spectrometer

“…distinguishing a sample of specific composition from others. With regard to paint analysis, Moioli et al [1], Ferrero et al [2], Cesareo et al [3], and Szfkefalvi-Nagy et al [4] reported applications to art objects. Analysis of paint by a pyroelectric X-ray generator, which is a portable X-ray generator driven by a dry battery, was also reported [5,6].…”

Spectral Behavior of White Pigment Mixtures Using Reflectance, Ultraviolet—Fluorescence Spectroscopy, and Multispectral Imaging

“…[8][9][10] However, recently, portable scanning macro XRF devices have been developed to map the elemental distribution on paintings in situ. 11 Raman and infrared (IR) spectroscopies are also used for the identification of white pigments on paintings, but again they are punctual analyses.…”