The Colors of the Butterfly Wings: Non-Invasive Microanalytical Studies of Hand-Coloring Materials in 19th-Century Daguerreotypes

Balbas, Diego Quintero; Cattaneo, Barbara; Cagnini, Andrea; Belluzzo, Paolo; Innocenti, Silvia; Rossi, Sandra; Fontana, Raffaella; Striová, Jana

doi:10.3390/heritage5040221

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 28 publications

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“…Because of their intrinsic fragility, the daguerreotypes were enclosed in a package (step 7), made of various materials (e.g., metals, textiles, glass, and wood) [7], as schematized in Figure 1b. Sometimes, before its housing, daguerreotypes were colored manually with colorants and binders applied over the plate surface ( [8] and references herein). The analytical examination of the daguerreotypes is particularly challenging due to their multi-material and multi-component structure.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Degradation of Daguerreotypes and the Relationship with Their Multi-Material Structure: A Multimodal Investigation

Balbas

Cattaneo

Cagnini

et al. 2023

Sensors

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Preserving and analytically examining daguerreotypes is particularly challenging because of their multi-material and multi-component structure. Various sensors have been exploited to examine mainly the image plates of the daguerreotypes even though the degradation goes beyond this component. Micro-analyses have been the preferred method due to the nanoscale structure of the image particles. In this work, we propose comprehensive multi-modal non-invasive sensing to investigate the corrosion products present in nine daguerreotypes from the Fondazione Alinari per la Fotografia (FAF, Florence, Italy). The methodology proposed includes chemical and morphological analyses: portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (pXRF), Raman microspectroscopy (μ-Raman), and micro-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy in reflection mode (μ-rFTIR) for the chemical identification. For the first time, optical coherence tomography (OCT) was deployed to record the cross-sectional and morphological data of the relevant corrosion formations on daguerreotypes in a contactless way. The results allowed the characterization, in a non-invasive mode at a microscopic level, of a wide range of degradation products produced by the interaction of the different elements present in the structure of the daguerreotypes. The aim was to verify the performance of the proposed methodology and to link the chemical and physical complexity of the entire structure, disclosed by the state-of-art sensors, to the daguerreotype degradation. The results draw attention to the need to monitor not only the image condition but the whole object as a partially closed system in constant interaction internally and with the environment.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Degradation of Daguerreotypes and the Relationship with Their Multi-Material Structure: A Multimodal Investigation

Balbas

Cattaneo

Cagnini

et al. 2023

Sensors

Self Cite

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Combining XRF, Multispectral Imaging and SEM/EDS to Characterize a Contemporary Painting

Brocchieri

Scialla

D’Onofrio

et al. 2023

QuBS

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Diagnostic analyses on a contemporary painting on canvas were performed with X-ray fluorescence (XRF), multispectral imaging and scanning electron microscope/energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM/EDS). The results of each method provided complementary information to deepen the knowledge of the pictorial technique. Multispectral imaging provided insight into the topmost layers. XRF analysis made it possible to characterize the chemical composition of some materials and pigments used by the artist. Additional information such as that relating to canvas preparation emerged with the SEM/EDS technique. The results reveal (i) the use of pre-treated industrial canvas; (ii) the preparatory layer consists of plaster covered with a primer with titanium white, zinc and lithopone; (iii) a layer of cadmium yellow ground was inserted to give depth and three-dimensionality to the painting; (iv) the absence of underlying design; (v) the characterized pigments are all contemporary and (vi) a fixative spray covers the paint.

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The Colors of the Butterfly Wings: Non-Invasive Microanalytical Studies of Hand-Coloring Materials in 19th-Century Daguerreotypes

Cited by 2 publications

References 28 publications

The Degradation of Daguerreotypes and the Relationship with Their Multi-Material Structure: A Multimodal Investigation

The Degradation of Daguerreotypes and the Relationship with Their Multi-Material Structure: A Multimodal Investigation

Combining XRF, Multispectral Imaging and SEM/EDS to Characterize a Contemporary Painting

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