Micro-X-Ray Fluorescence and the Old Masters

Caruso, Francesco; Saverwyns, Steven; Bos, Marina Van; Martino, Delia Chillura; Ceulemans, Anne-Emmanuelle; Valck, Joris de; Caponetti, Eugenio

doi:10.1007/s00339-011-6729-x

Cited by 13 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…All the other detected elements can be attributed to a variety of sources, including the wood itself. Chlorine, sulfur, potassium, and calcium can, for instance, be found in the secretion of human sweat and they can also be present in varnished wood [28].…”

Section: Climatic Monitoring With Data Loggersmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Conservation issues and chemical study of the causes of alteration of a part of the Stave Church in Hopperstad (Norway)

et al. 2019

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An unidentified white substance was observed on the exterior parts of the southern side of Hopperstad Stave Church, located in Vik in Sogn and Fjordane (Norway). One of the 28 remaining stave churches in the country, Hopperstad Stave Church was built between 1130 and 1150 and it constitutes an important part of Norwegian cultural heritage. Such a substance was observed for the first time in 2009 and serious concerns about its harmfulness and origin have been raised. A comprehensive study involving non-invasive (portable XRF) and micro-invasive analyses (SEM, ICP-OES, TOC) was undertaken to investigate the physico-chemical nature of this white substance. Tarring, salt migration from the nearby cemetery, atmospheric agents, leakages from the roof, biological infestation, previous treatments with pesticides are among the possible causes of the phenomenon. This work-employing a unique approach in conservation/conservation science-indicates that the white substance is mainly inorganic and crystalline. It was, therefore, possible to exclude some of the possible causes, hence, clarifying some of the conservation issues of the church.

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Section: Climatic Monitoring With Data Loggersmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…There were also intense peaks of chlorine, potassium and iron, along with tiny peaks that indicated the presence of copper and zinc. Zinc is a common element in nature and is present in biological materials, for instance in human sweat [28,31].…”

Section: Climatic Monitoring With Data Loggersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Conservation issues and chemical study of the causes of alteration of a part of the Stave Church in Hopperstad (Norway)

et al. 2019

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“…Therefore, the presence of colored earths added as a pigment along with a number of other inorganic fillers could be easily differentiated from anthropic contaminants based on calcium, sodium, potassium, sulphur, and chlorine (from sweat and skin lipids) [27][28][29]. The ancient varnish used for musical instruments, often applied over a thin film of finely divided plaster and dispersed in egg white solution in water, contains fine colophony powder dispersed in siccative oils (boiled flax, hemp, poppy, or walnut) in ratios ranging from 2:1 to 3:1 [30].…”

Section: Determination Of the Archaeometric Characteristics Of The Vamentioning

confidence: 99%

Authentication of an Old Violin by Multianalytical Methods

et al. 2019

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The paper presents the authentication of a Stradivari 1737 type violin, which belonged to the Romanian scientist Ştefan Odobleja. The analytical methods used in the study for assessing archaeometric characteristics of some component materials, along with the white degree and glycolysis rate measurements of the label that allowed an extensive evaluation of the violin, were OM, SEM–EDX, and micro-FTIR. The preparation binder (egg white from thin gypsum layers) and the varnish (identification of linseed oil and colophony components, alongside contamination impurities) were assessed in order to evaluate the artefact conservation state, as well as the restoration and counterfeiting interventions. We can conclude that the violin was done by a violin maker from the Stradivari family, and it is a replica of the violins of that period.

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“…[43,45,46] The peaks ascribed to Si (even if underestimated) observed in most of the XRF spectra can also support this hypothesis. Moreover, Ti, considered one of the most frequent impurities of the iron-based pigments, [47] was also highlighted.…”

Section: Iron: Is It a Pigment Marker?mentioning

confidence: 99%

The elemental composition of Stradivari's musical instruments: new results through non‐invasive EDXRF analysis

et al. 2017

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During recent decades, many researchers have tried to understand the main influences on the extraordinary sound and beauty of the masterpieces made by the ancient violin makers. This is still a challenge for many others today. Mainly because of a lack of written historical documents, the rediscovery of some of the ancient violin‐making processes was made possible thanks to scientific analyses performed on their materials by means of diagnostic techniques. However, understanding which substances were adopted is a very hard task, because the analyses are influenced by many factors: for example, alterations, wear, retouches, and the heterogeneity of materials. This paper presents some new EDXRF results collected on eight‐stringed musical instruments made by Antonio Stradivari between 1669 and 1734 (“Clisbee” 1669, “Hellier” 1679, “Ford‐Rougemont” 1703, “Joachim‐Ma” 1714, “Russian Federation” viola 1715, “Cremonese” 1715, “Vesuvius” 1727, and “Scotland” 1734) and now preserved at the Museo del Violino in Cremona. A brief comparison with a modern violin made by Simone Ferdinando Sacconi (“Hellier copy” 1941), one of the most eminent violin makers of the 20th century and one of the greatest experts on Stradivari's work, is also provided. This represents the first comparative analysis of a wide number of ancient musical instruments made by the same violin maker over an extended period. A non‐destructive and non‐invasive approach was followed to (a) understand the elemental composition differences between the best conserved and most worn‐out surfaces; (b) check if there are elemental similarities among the finishing materials of violins made in different years by the same violin maker; (c) give new suggestions about the materials used. To distinguish the best conserved areas from the worn‐out ones, a preliminary investigation by UV‐induced fluorescence photography was performed. In addition, stereomicroscopic observations and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analyses were performed on selected areas to validate the hypotheses. The results, in some cases comparable with previous research on Stradivari instruments, have increased the pool of information about materials and treatments adopted in the Stradivari workshop.

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Micro-X-Ray Fluorescence and the Old Masters

Cited by 13 publications

References 13 publications

Conservation issues and chemical study of the causes of alteration of a part of the Stave Church in Hopperstad (Norway)

Conservation issues and chemical study of the causes of alteration of a part of the Stave Church in Hopperstad (Norway)

Authentication of an Old Violin by Multianalytical Methods

The elemental composition of Stradivari's musical instruments: new results through non‐invasive EDXRF analysis

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