| IAEA-CN-115-16 · Analysis of inorganic pigments by Nuclear Microprobe: the case of the paintings by the Master HGG
S. Fazinić1, Ž. Pastuović1, M. Jakšić1, M. Braun2, D. Krstić2, D. Mudronja2
1Ruđer Bošković Institute, Zagreb, Croatia
2Croatian Conservation Institute, Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract: The aim of the presentation is to show results of the collaboration between the Croatian Conservation Institute (CCI) and the Laboratory for Ion Beam Interactions of the Rudjer Boskovic Institute (RBI), based on the applications of the nuclear microprobe facility to the analysis of cultural heritage objects. The collaboration is based on characterization of inorganic pigments, alloys and other materials in paintings, statues and ancient buildings that are currently under conservation process performed by CCI. Elemental composition of samples is determined using ion beam analysis techniques, such as Particle Induced X-Ray Emission (PIXE) and Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry (RBS). Current collaborative work with the CCI includes the work in progress on the use of the IRB nuclear microprobe in conservation process studies of a church portal, analysis of a bronze statue recently discovered in the Adriatic Sea, and analysis of pigments from different paintings and polychrome sculptures. The presentation is focused on the current project related to the analysis of inorganic pigments from paintings done by the Master HGG (Hans Georg Geigerfeld), painter who was active in the 17th century at the area between Novo Mesto in Slovenia and Zagreb in Croatia (parts of Austro-Hungarian Empire at that time). The specific work presented here is only a part of large collaboration under which several institutions from Croatia and Slovenia have conducted scientific and technical research with the purpose to find out the painter’s use of binding mediums and pigments, learn about his painting techniques and hence understand and compare these findings with existing historical data. Conventional samples of paint-layer cross-sections embedded in polyester resin, as prepared for Optical Microscopy (OM), have been used for the analysis of selected paintings using the focused proton beam from the nuclear microprobe. By the detection of characteristic X-rays of elements present in the samples (PIXE), images of elemental distributions at the microscopic level have been obtained. In combination of the data obtained by OM and PIXE, inorganic pigments used by the painter have been identified on selected paintings. Preliminary results of this on-going activity are presented.
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