Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Attenuated total reflection micro FTIR characterisation of pigment–binder interaction in reconstructed paint films

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The interaction of pigments and binding media may result in the production of metal soaps on the surface of paintings which modifies their visible appearance and state of conservation. To characterise more fully the metal soaps found on paintings, several historically accurate oil and egg yolk tempera paint reconstructions made with different pigments and naturally aged for 10 years were submitted to attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR FTIR) microspectroscopic analyses. Standard metal palmitates were synthesised and their ATR spectra recorded in order to help the identification of metal soaps. Among the different lead-based pigments, red lead and litharge seemed to produce a larger amount of carboxylates compared with lead white, Naples yellow and lead tin yellow paints. Oil and egg tempera litharge and red lead paints appeared to be degraded into lead carbonate, a phenomenon which has been observed for the first time. The formation of metal soaps was confirmed on both oil and egg tempera paints based on zinc, manganese and copper and in particular on azurite paints. ATR mapping analyses showed how the areas where copper carboxylates were present coincided with those in which azurite was converted into malachite. Furthermore, the key role played by manganese in the production of metals soaps on burnt and raw sienna and burnt and raw umber paints has been observed for the first time. The formation of copper, lead, manganese, cadmium and zinc metal soaps was also identified on egg tempera paint reconstructions even though, in this case, the overlapping of the spectral region of the amide II band with that of metal carboxylates made their identification difficult.

FTIR false colour plot of the azurite distribution on a selected area of the azurite oil paint reconstruction

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

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Chiavari G, Fabbri D, Prati S (2005) J Anal Appl Pyrol 74:39–44

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Adelantado JV, Mateo-Castro R, Domenech-Carbò MT, Bosch-Reig F, Domenech-Carbò A, Casas-Catalan MJ, Osete-Cortina L (2001) J Chromatogr A 922:385–390

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Colombini MP, Modugno F, Giacomelli A (1999) J Chromatogr A 846:101–111

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. van der Weerd J (2002) Imaging microspectroscopic FTIR and VIS analysis of paint cross-sections. PhD dissertation, Amsterdam

  5. Mills JS (1966) Studies Conserv 11:92–107

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Robinet L, Corbeil MC (2003) Stud Conserv 48:23–40

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. O’Neill LA, Brett RA (1969) J Oil Col Chem Ass 52:1054–1074

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Bell SH (1970) Paint Varnish Prod 60:55–60

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Plater MJ, De Silva B, Gelbrich T, Hursthouse MB, Higgitt CL, Saunders DR (2003) Polyhedron 22:3171–3179

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Keune K, Noble P, Boon JJ (2002) Proceedings of Art 2002, Antwerp, University of Antwerp, 2–6 June 2002

  11. Keune K, Boon JJ (2004) Anal Chem 76:1374–1385

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Keune K (2005) Binding medium, pigments and metal soaps characterised and localised in paint cross-sections. PhD dissertation, University of Amsterdam, 22 June 2005 (available online)

  13. Zeidler G, Hesse H (1940) Paint Varnish Prod Manag 20:32–43

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Cotte M, Checroun E, Susini J, Walter P (2007) Appl Phys A 89:841–848

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Mazzeo R, Joseph E (2007) Eur J Mineral 17:1–9

    Google Scholar 

  16. Aldrovandi A, Altamura ML, Cianfanelli MT, Ritano P (1996) I quaderni di OPD 8:191–209

    Google Scholar 

  17. Kambe H (1961) Bull Chem Soc Jpn 34:1790–1793

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Thompson DV Jr (trans) (1954) The craftsman’s handbook: Il libro dell’arte by Cennino d’Andrea Cennini. Dover, New York

  19. O’Neil LA (1963) Paint Technol 27:44–47

    Google Scholar 

  20. Meilunas R, Bentsen JG, Steinberg A (1990) Stud Conserv 35:33–51

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Gettens RJ, West Fitzhung E (1997) Azurite and blueverditer. In: Roy A (ed) Artists’ pigments 2. Oxford University Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  22. Oddy WA (1975) The corrosion of metals on display. In: Conservation in archaeology and the arts. In: Brommelle NS, Smith P (eds) London: International Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works, pp 235–237

  23. Shaeffer JA (1933) Official Digest Federation Paint Varnish Prod Club 126:180–189

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Microchemistry and Microscopy Art Diagnostic Laboratory, University of Bologna, Via Tombesi dall’Ova 55, 48100, Ravenna, Italy

    R. Mazzeo, S. Prati, E. Joseph & E. Kendix

  2. Department of Cultural Heritage, University of Iasi, 700511, Iasi, Romania

    M. Quaranta

  3. Laboratorio Scientifico, Opificio delle Pietre Dure, Via Alfani, 78, 50125, Firenze, Italy

    M. Galeotti

Authors
  1. R. Mazzeo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. S. Prati
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. M. Quaranta
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. E. Joseph
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. E. Kendix
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. M. Galeotti
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to R. Mazzeo.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Mazzeo, R., Prati, S., Quaranta, M. et al. Attenuated total reflection micro FTIR characterisation of pigment–binder interaction in reconstructed paint films. Anal Bioanal Chem 392, 65–76 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-008-2126-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-008-2126-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation