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Micro-Raman analysis of coloured lithographs
K Castro1, P Vandenabeele, M D Rodríguez-Laso
1Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of the Basque Country, P.O. Box 644, 48080 Bilbao, Spain. qabcaork@lg.ehu.es
Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry
|May 6, 2004
Summary
Raman micro-spectroscopy identified pigments in 19th-century lithographs, revealing unexpected materials that question their authenticity. This non-destructive analysis offers crucial insights into art conservation and historical verification.
Area of Science:
- Art Conservation Science
- Analytical Chemistry
- Spectroscopy
Background:
- Nineteenth-century hand-coloured lithographs are valuable historical artifacts.
- Accurate pigment identification is crucial for art authentication and preservation.
- Traditional analytical methods may have limitations in detecting certain pigments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze and identify pigments in four 19th-century hand-coloured lithographs.
- To evaluate the suitability of Raman micro-spectroscopy for non-destructive art analysis.
- To determine if pigment composition aligns with the purported age of the lithographs.
Main Methods:
- Non-destructive analysis using Raman micro-spectroscopy.
- Identification of various inorganic and organic pigments.
- Comparison of spectral data with known pigment standards.
Main Results:
- Successfully identified a range of pigments including Prussian blue, ultramarine blue, carbon black, chrome yellow, yellow ochre, red lead, red iron oxide, burnt Sienna, indigo blue, chrome orange, and phthalocyanine green.
- Raman spectroscopy proved effective for identifying pigments not detectable by FTIR (Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy).
- The identified pigment composition raised questions regarding the authenticity and age of the lithographs.
Conclusions:
- Raman micro-spectroscopy is a powerful, non-destructive technique for analyzing pigments in historical artworks.
- The presence of certain pigments challenges the established age of the analyzed lithographs.
- Further investigation is warranted to confirm the authenticity of these artifacts.