Non‐destructive Analysis of Chemical Elements in Paintings and Enamels

Abstract

S X‐ray fluorescence analysis is a non‐destructive method, very useful for qualitative and quantitative determination of chemical elements in paintings, frescoes, enamels, etc. Measurements have been carried out on ancient Persian mural painting allowing the identification of about ten different pigments. Furthermore, many oil paintings have been examined. For example, about thirty regions of different colour tonalities concerning the ‘Deposizione’by Raffaello Sanzio have been analysed; in this way it has been possible to determine the composition of several pigments used by the author and to identify some restored regions. The enamels of a ligneous Egyptian panel have also been studied; the results are in good agreement with those obtained using conventional methods.

Portable energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence equipment for the analysis of cultural heritage

“…-identification of fakes, in special cases [3]; and -identification of restored areas through the presence of 'modern' pigments [4].…”

X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry

“…In the case of ancient paintings, identification of restored areas through the presence of ''modern'' elements, such as Ti, Zn, Cr, Cd, etc. [65,66] 5. In some cases, also information about the thickness of pigments [67] Some examples related to points 1-5 are given in the following: Surface Sulfur and/or Chlorine.…”

Degradation of Vermilion Red Color in Oil and Mural Paintings: A Comparative Applied Study

“…Then, mercury reacts with chlorine to form different mercury chlorine compounds. Light-sensitive á-Hg 3 S 2 Cl 2 compounds can be converted to Hg 2 Cl 2 after the loss of the crystalline network through oxidation and volatilization [8], leaving the underlying mercury [9]. Mineral mercury may cause Hg 2 Cl 2 to become a gray HgCl 2 because of chlorine gas ClO, which has been demonstrated through microscopic studies of historical panels' samples with a high concentration of chloride in areas adjunct to some degraded areas [10].…”