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Raman fibre optic approach to artwork dating
K Castro1, M Pérez-Alonso, M D Rodríguez-Laso
1Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of the Basque Country, P.O. Box 644, 48080 Bilbao, Spain. qabcaork@lg.ehu.es
Spectrochimica Acta. Part A, Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy
|September 8, 2004
Summary
Raman spectroscopy non-destructively analyzed a historic wallpaper, identifying pigments like Prussian blue and chrome yellow. This analysis precisely dated the wallpaper to between 1828 and 1840.
Area of Science:
- Art conservation science
- Materials analysis
- Spectroscopy
Background:
- Restoration of non-catalogued historical artifacts requires precise material identification.
- Non-destructive analytical techniques are crucial for preserving delicate artworks.
Observation:
- Raman micro-probe spectroscopy was employed for the in-situ analysis of a hand-crafted wallpaper.
- The technique allowed for detailed chemical identification without sample removal.
Findings:
- The wallpaper contains a diverse palette including calcium carbonate, Prussian blue, ultramarine blue, gypsum, minium, vermilion, chrome orange, chrome yellow, barium sulphate, and carbon black.
- Spectroscopic data enabled dating the wallpaper between 1828 and 1840, correlating with the introduction of specific pigments and industrial wallpaper production.
Implications:
- This study demonstrates the efficacy of Raman spectroscopy in art conservation for material characterization and historical dating.
- The findings contribute to a better understanding of historical pigment use and wallpaper manufacturing techniques.