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Multivariate chemical mapping of pigments and binders in easel painting cross-sections by micro IR reflection spectroscopy

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Abstract

Paintings are composed of superimposed layers of inorganic and organic materials (pigments and binders). Knowledge of the stratigraphic sequence of these heterogeneous layers is fundamental for understanding the artist’s painting technique and for conservation issues. In this study, micro-IR mapping experiments in reflection mode have been carried out on cross-sections taken from simulations of ancient easel paintings. The objective was to locate both organic binders and inorganic pigments. Chemical maps have been re-constructed using the common approach based on the integration of specific infrared bands. However, owing to the complexity of painting materials, this approach is not always applicable when dealing with broad and superimposed spectral features and with reststrahlen or derivative-like bands resulting from acquisition in reflection mode. To overcome these limitations, principal-component analysis has been successfully used for the re-construction of the image, extracting the relevant information from the complex full spectral data sets and obtaining reliable chemical distributions of the stratigraphy materials. Different pigment–binder combinations have been evaluated in order to understand limitations and strengths of the approach. Finally, the method has been applied for stratigraphic characterization of a cross-section from a 17th century wooden sculpture identifying both the original paint layer and the several overpaintings constituting the complex stratigraphy.

a) OM image of an easel painting cross-section with the grid indicating the IR mapped area; b) t1 vs. t2 score plot including the color bar referred to the score values along each components; c) t2-score map; d) p1 and p2 profiles from PCA (labels: Gy-gypsum, L-lipid, I-amide I, II-amide II, U-ultramarine blue)

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Acknowledgment

The work has been carried out through the support of the EU within the sixth FP (Eu-ARTECH-Access, Research, and Technology for the conservation of the European Cultural Heritage, RII3-CT-2004-506171) and the seventh FP (CHARISMA- Cultural heritage Advanced Research Infrastructures: Synergy for a Multidisciplinary Approach to Conservation/Restoration Project No. 228330) and through the support of the Italian MIUR (PRIN08 “Setting up of diagnostic methodologies for the stratigraphical characterization and spatial location of the organic components in artistic and archaeological polychrome works of art”).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centro di Eccellenza SMAArt (Scientific Methodologies applied to Archaeology and Art) c/o Dipartimento di Chimica, Università di Perugia, Via Elce di Sotto 8, 06123, Perugia, Italy

    Francesca Rosi, Arianna Federici, Brunetto G. Brunetti, Antonio Sgamellotti & Costanza Miliani

  2. INSTM, Operative Unit of Perugia c/o Dipartimento di Chimica, Università di Perugia, Via Elce di Sotto 8, 06123, Perugia, Italy

    Francesca Rosi, Brunetto G. Brunetti & Antonio Sgamellotti

  3. Dipartimento di Chimica, Università di Perugia, Via Elce di Sotto 8, 06123, Perugia, Italy

    Sergio Clementi

  4. Istituto CNR di Scienze e Tecnologie Molecolari (CNR-ISTM) c/o Dipartimento di Chimica, Università di Perugia, Via Elce di Sotto 8, 06123, Perugia, Italy

    Costanza Miliani

Authors
  1. Francesca Rosi
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  2. Arianna Federici
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  3. Brunetto G. Brunetti
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  4. Antonio Sgamellotti
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  5. Sergio Clementi
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  6. Costanza Miliani
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Correspondence to Francesca Rosi.

Additional information

Published in the special issue Analytical Chemistry for Cultural Heritage with Guest Editors Rocco Mazzeo, Silvia Prati, and Aldo Roda.

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Rosi, F., Federici, A., Brunetti, B.G. et al. Multivariate chemical mapping of pigments and binders in easel painting cross-sections by micro IR reflection spectroscopy. Anal Bioanal Chem 399, 3133–3145 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-010-4239-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-010-4239-x

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