Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Visualization of pigment distributions in paintings using synchrotron K-edge imaging

  • Published:
Applied Physics A Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

X-ray radiography plays an important role in the study of artworks and archaeological artifacts. The internal structure of objects provides information on genesis, authenticity, painting technique, material condition and conservation history. Transmission radiography, however, does not provide information on the exact elemental composition of objects and heavy metal layers can shadow or obscure the ones including lighter elements. This paper presents the first application of synchrotron-based K-edge absorption imaging applied to paintings. Using highly monochromatic radiation, K-edge imaging is used to obtain elemental distribution images over large areas. Such elemental maps visualize the distribution of an individual pigment throughout the paint stratigraphy. This provides color information on hidden paint layers, which is of great relevance to art historians and painting conservators. The main advantage is the quick data acquisition time and the sensitivity to elements throughout the entire paint stratigraphy. The examination of a test painting is shown and further instrumental developments are discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. C. Bridgeman, Stud. Conserv. 9, 135 (1964)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. E. van de Wetering, Rembrandt’s Hidden Self-Portraits (Museum het Rembrandthuis, Amsterdam, 2003)

    Google Scholar 

  3. R. Dirven, K. Wouters, Verloren vondsten (Breda’s Museum, Breda, 2003)

    Google Scholar 

  4. V. Sayre, N.H. Lechtman, Stud. Conserv. 13, 161 (1968)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. D.A. Scott, Archaeometry 43, 475 (2001)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. J. Dik, in Preprint Int. Workshop Interdisciplinarity in Non-destructive Testing of Museum Objects (COST-G8) (2004) p. 45

  7. B. Kanngiesser, O. Hahn, M. Wilke, B. Nekat, W. Malzer, A. Erko, Nucl. Instrum. Methods Phys. Res. B 211, 259 (2003)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  8. K. Janssens, F. Adams, A. Rindby, Microscopic X-ray Fluorescence Analysis (Wiley, Chichester, 2000)

    Google Scholar 

  9. A. Sarnelli, C. Nemoz, H. Elleaume, F. Esteve, B. Bertrand, A. Bravin, Phys. Med. Biol. 50, 725 (2005)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. B. Jacobson, Acta Radiol. 39, 437 (1953)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. E. Moniz, Presse Med. 35, 969 (1927)

    Google Scholar 

  12. E. Hughes, E. Barrie, E. Rubenstein, R. Hofstadter, Method and means for minimally invasive angiography using mono-chromatized synchrotron radiation, U.S. Patent 4432370 (1984)

  13. B. Bertrand, F. Esteve, H. Elleaume, C. Nemoz, S. Fiedler, A. Bravin, G. Berruyer, T. Brochard, M. Renier, J. Machecourt, W. Thomlinson, J. Le Bas, Eur. Heart J. 26, 1284 (2005)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. J. Adam, C. Nemoz, A. Bravin, S. Fiedler, S. Bayat, S. Monfraix, G. Berruyer, A. Charvet, J. Le Bas, H. Elleaume, F. Esteve, J. Cereb. Blood Flow Metab. 25, 145 (2005)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. G. Le Duc, S. Corde, A. Charvet, H. Elleaume, R. Farion, J. Le Bas, F. Esteve, Invest. Radiol. 39, 385 (2004)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. P. Baldelli, M. Gambaccini, M. Milazzo, F. Petrucci, M. Scotti, in Preprint Eur. Conf. X-ray Spectrometry (2004) p. 22

  17. S. Monfraix, S. Bayat, L. Porra, G. Berruyer, C. Nemoz, W. Thomlinson, P. Suortti, A. Sovijarvi, Phys. Med. Biol. 50, 1 (2005)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. J. Keyrilainen, M. Fernandez, S. Fiedler, A. Bravin, M. Karjalainen-Lindsberg, P. Virkkunen, E. Elo, M. Tenhunen, P. Suortti, W. Thomlinson, Eur. J. Radiol. 53, 226 (2005)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. M. Biston, A. Joubert, J. Adam, H. Elleaume, S. Bohic, A. Charvet, F. Esteve, N. Foray, N. Balosso, J. Cancer Res. 64, 2317 (2004)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. H. Elleaume, A. Charvet, P. Berkvens, G. Berruyer, T. Brochard, Y. Dabin, M. Dominguez, A. Draperi, S. Fiedler, G. Goujon, G. Le Duc, M. Mattenet, C. Nemoz, M. Perez, M. Renier, C. Schulze, P. Spanne, P. Suortti, W. Thomlinson, F. Esteve, B. Bertrand, J. Le Bas, Nucl. Instrum. Methods A 428, 514 (1999)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  21. J. Dik, M. den Leeuw, W. Verbakel, R. Peschar, R. Schillemans, H. Schenk, Z. Kunstt. Konserv. 16, 130 (2002)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Materials Science and Engineering, TU Delft, Rotterdamseweg 137, 2628 AL, Delft, Netherlands

    K. Krug & J. Dik

  2. Atelier for Restoration & Research of Paintings, The Hague, Netherlands

    M. den Leeuw

  3. L3 Communications, 10E Commerce Way, Woburn, MA, 01801, USA

    A. Whitson

  4. JK Consulting, 42 Phillips Rd, Sudbury, MA, 01776, USA

    J. Tortora

  5. European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, 6 rue Horowitz, 38043, Grenoble, France

    P. Coan, C. Nemoz & A. Bravin

Authors
  1. K. Krug
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. J. Dik
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. M. den Leeuw
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. A. Whitson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. J. Tortora
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. P. Coan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. C. Nemoz
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. A. Bravin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to J. Dik.

Additional information

PACS

07.85.Qe; 07.05.Pj

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Krug, K., Dik, J., den Leeuw, M. et al. Visualization of pigment distributions in paintings using synchrotron K-edge imaging. Appl. Phys. A 83, 247–251 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00339-006-3519-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00339-006-3519-y

Keywords

Search

Navigation