Raman fibre optic approach to artwork dating

Spectrochim Acta A Mol Biomol Spectrosc. 2004 Oct;60(12):2919-24. doi: 10.1016/j.saa.2004.02.004.

Abstract

Raman micro-probe spectroscopy has been applied to the analysis of a non catalogued hand-crafted wallpaper during its restoration process. The analysis has been totally non-destructive without the necessity of taking any sample. The artwork showed a great chromatic palette having been detected the presence of calcium carbonate, Prussian blue, ultramarine blue, gypsum (CaSO4.2H2O), minium (Pb3O4), vermilion (HgS), chrome orange (CaCO3), chrome yellow (PbCrO4), barium sulphate and carbon black (C). From the spectroscopic analysis the date of its manufacturing has been set between 1828 and 1830, introduction of chrome yellow and orange, as well as artificial ultramarine blue, and 1840, when continuous industrial wallpapers were extensively manufactured in Europe.

Publication types

  • Historical Article
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Art* / history
  • Coloring Agents / analysis*
  • Fiber Optic Technology / methods*
  • History, 19th Century
  • Paper / history
  • Spain
  • Spectrum Analysis, Raman / methods*

Substances

  • Coloring Agents