Article: differentiation of layers by optical microscopy (2008)

Title: The visible image is not always correct: the differentiation of layers by optical microscopy in samples’ cross sections
Author: Carolina Barata, António João Cruz, Marta Ferro
Reference: e-conservation, 7, 2008, pp. 21-25
Link: html 1, html 2, pdf 1, pdf 2

Abstract:

The stratigraphic characterization of polychrome surfaces in works of art is frequently done through the observation of cross-section samples by optical microscopy (OM). Three examples that show some limits to this method are presented here. In samples where at first only one layer was visible, several strata were detected through electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). These and other examples ought to be taken into consideration by conservators, who should be aware of similar possibilities in other cases.

Physico-Chemical Research of Cultural Heritage Materials Using Microanalytical methods (2009)

Title: Physico-Chemical Research of Cultural Heritage Materials Using Microanalytical methods
Author: Liz Karen Herrera Quintero
Advisors: Ángel Justo Erbez and José Luis Pérez Rodríguez
Publisher: Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales de Sevilla (ICMS-CSIC), Universidad de Sevilla
Pages: 223 pages
Year: 2009
ISBN: 846920906-X
Type: Doctoral thesis
Site: http://hdl.handle.net/...

Abstract:

The research work included in this thesis is focused on the characterisation of five different materials: paintings, baroque mirrors, natural fibres, organ pipes and several metallic artefacts, which are representative of Spanish Cultural Heritage. All of these ornamental elements are characteristic of the Andalusian Baroque period of art. One of the main contributions of this work is the application of synchrotron radiation-based techniques at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) within the Cultural Heritage Group. These synchrotron x-ray techniques were carried out in combination with other analytical laboratory techniques such as x-ray diffraction, micro-infrared, micro-Raman spectroscopy, optical and electron microscopy, and mass spectrometry. Synchrotron radiation was very powerful and useful in the detection, analysis and distribution of different elements and crystal phases. These findings are critical to the different aspects of the artwork.

Index (short version):

Chapter I. Studies and Research of Paintings
I.1. Advanced Combined Application of μ-X-ray Diffraction/μ-X-ray Fluorescence with Conventional Techniques for the Identification of Pictorial Materials from Baroque Andalusia Paintings
I. 2. Characterisation of iron oxide-based pigments by micro X-Ray diffraction
I. 3. Synchrotron-based X-ray experiments used for the study of an iron oxide micrometric pigment in 18th century paintings
I. 4. Characterisation of azurite and malachite pigments by combined application of μ-X-ray diffraction/μ-X-ray fluorescence in cross section from Spanish Baroque paintings

Chapter II. Studies on Ancient Mirrors
II.1. Hg/Sn amalgam degradation of ancient glass mirrors
II.2. Study of nanocrystalline SnO2 particles formed during the corrosion processes of ancient amalgam mirrors

Chapter III. Studies on Baroque Metallic Organ Pipes
III.1. Chemical composition of the metal pipes of Spanish baroque organs as determined by laboratory and synchrotron techniques
III.2. Chemical composition of the red pipes of a Spanish baroque organ

Chapter IV. Studies of Ancient Fibres
IV. Identification of cellulose fibres belonging to Spanish cultural heritage using synchrotron x-ray diffraction and laboratory techniques

Chapter V. Studies of Metallic Artefacts
V. Analysis of cultural heritage metallic artefacts from Andalusia

Chapter VI. Conclusions
Chapter VII. Resumen