Spectroscopic analysis used to uncover the original paint colour of the Helsinki Government Palace tower clock faces

Castro, Kepa; Knuutinen, Ulla; Vallejuelo, Silvia Fdez‐Ortiz de; Maguregui, Maite; Madariaga, Juan Manuel; Laakso, Raili

doi:10.1186/s40494-016-0100-7

Cited by 5 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…The cross-section preparation is common for the morphological and chemical analysis of micro-samples from paintings [42][43][44][45][46][47] . The information gained from a painting cross-section can be about the painting technique, the layering, the pigments, the grains distribution, the porosity and cracks, the colour, and the binders [47][48][49] , which is important for conservation, the appropriate restoration and the art comprehension 13,[50][51][52][53][54] .…”

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confidence: 99%

Conductive cross-section preparation of non-conductive painting micro-samples for SEM analysis

Jaques

Zikmundová

Holas

et al. 2022

Sci Rep

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Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) is a common method for the analysis of painting micro-samples. The high resolution of this technique offers precise surface analysis and can be coupled with an energy-dispersive spectrometer for the acquisition of the elemental composition. For light microscopy and SEM analysis, the painting micro-samples are commonly prepared as cross-sections, where the micro-sample positioned on the side is embedded in a resin. Therefore, the sequence of its layers is exposed after the cross-section is polished. In common cases outside of cultural heritage, a conductive layer is applied on the polished side, but in this field, the measurements are mostly done in low-vacuum SEM (LV-SEM). Although the charging effect is reduced in LV-SEM, it can still occur, and can hardly be prevented even with carbon tape or paint. This work presents two conductive cross-section preparation methods for non-conductive samples, which reduce charging effects without impairing the sample integrity.

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confidence: 99%

Conductive cross-section preparation of non-conductive painting micro-samples for SEM analysis

Jaques

Zikmundová

Holas

et al. 2022

Sci Rep

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“…Further work was carried out directly on cross-sections. To refine the elemental composition of each of the structural elements of the samples, in order to construct maps of the distribution of chemical elements over the studied surface and to determine their dispersion, the method of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) combined with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) was used [3][4][5]. Next, in order to establish the classes of inorganic components, the samples were studied using the spectral analysis methods IR Fourier spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A study of “The Portrait of F.P. Makerovsky in a Masquerade Costume” by Dmitry Levitsky from the collection of the State Tretyakov Gallery

et al. 2020

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This paper reports on activities carried out as part of a pre-conservation studies of the painting by Dmitry Levitsky, "The Portrait of F.P. Makerovsky in a Masquerade Costume" (1789, the State Tretyakov Gallery). Samples were taken and prepared for further study within the following algorithm. Using optical microscopy of cross-sections of the samples taken, structural elements of layered compositions were revealed and external differences between them were established. X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy was used to evaluate the elemental composition of the painting surface and cross-sections of samples. Scanning electron microscopy combined with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy was used to clarify the elemental composition of each of the structural elements of the samples taken, their submicro-and microdimensional inclusions, to map the distribution of chemical elements over the studied surface, and to determine the dispersion of organic and inorganic components contained in the material. Micro-FTIR was used to identify functional groups and to determine the main classes of inorganic compounds, as well as binders, used, including in the local analysis of micro-inclusions. The list of specific chemical compounds in the composition of the studied paint layers and grounds, which included an examination of the varnish coating, was determined with micro-Raman spectroscopy using data obtained by the above methods. As a result of the study, complementary information was obtained on the chemical composition of the inorganic components used, of the binder and of the varnish coating, which is required for further conservation of this work of art.

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“…Its analysis gives valuable information on the painting technique, the type of used materials, the porosity, the degradation, or the interaction of the components. The gained information is essential for the appropriate preservation and restoration of the artworks 3 . However, once prepared as a cross-section, the three-dimensional (3D) information hidden under the polished surface of the cross-section cannot be accessed anymore.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cyclododecane shaping, sublimation rate and residue analysis for the extraction of painting micro-samples from resin cross-sections

Jaques

Zikmundová

Holas

et al. 2022

Sci Rep

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Cross-section preparation of painting micro-samples is part of their routine analysis. This type of preparation can be used for several analytical techniques, such as scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and optical microscopy. These techniques offer high-resolution imaging and/or elemental information, providing access to technical and material data important for the interpretation, preservation, and restoration of painted artworks. However, it also means that the material from the sample embedded in the resin becomes unreachable for further analysis, except for the polished surface of the cross-section. Degradation of the embedding medium can also occur over time, which can lead to misinterpretation, loss of information, or even complete destruction of the embedded sample. In the field of cultural heritage, cyclododecane (CDD) is commonly used for the consolidation and protection of objects, and is used in the preparation of cross-sections to prevent contamination of the sample by the embedding medium. This study enhanced the existing preparation process by shaping the CDD layer to enable extraction of the micro-sample from the resin if needed, without compromising the integrity of the sample. Moreover, the purity, the sublimation rate in a normal environment and a vacuum, and the impact of CDD on three different types of samples (historical painting on a canvas, wall painting fragment, model sample) were examined.

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Spectroscopic analysis used to uncover the original paint colour of the Helsinki Government Palace tower clock faces

Cited by 5 publications

References 29 publications

Conductive cross-section preparation of non-conductive painting micro-samples for SEM analysis

Conductive cross-section preparation of non-conductive painting micro-samples for SEM analysis

A study of “The Portrait of F.P. Makerovsky in a Masquerade Costume” by Dmitry Levitsky from the collection of the State Tretyakov Gallery

Cyclododecane shaping, sublimation rate and residue analysis for the extraction of painting micro-samples from resin cross-sections

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