- Understand the historical significance and chemical composition of Naples Yellow and Antimony White.
- Analyze the X-ray spectral characteristics of antimony in different pigment formulations.
- Pure antimony metal cube.
- Samples of Naples Yellow and Antimony White pigments respectively from Pigments Checker STANDARD and MODERN ART.
- Introduction to Antimony in Pigments:
- Overview of Naples Yellow, its popularity from antiquity to 1850, and its composition as a lead antimonate.
- Introduction to Antimony White as a modern, rarely used pigment composed of antimony trioxide.
- Spectral Analysis of Antimony:
- Examine the X-ray spectrum of pure antimony metal, identifying the strong K alpha (26.3) and K beta (29.7) peaks, as well as the weaker L lines.
- Compare the spectra of Antimony White and Naples Yellow, noting the influence of lead and zinc on antimony signal strength.
To reinforce the concepts discussed here, we also provide a video lesson that visually walks through the key points of this topic. Watching the video alongside the text can help you better understand and apply these ideas in practice.
The course XRF Spectroscopy for Art Examination introduces conservators, art historians, and scientists with interest in Art to the principles and practical applications of X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy in the examination of artworks. The course starts with basic principles of XRF and gradually explores its role in identifying materials and methods used in the creation and conservation of art.
Course Objectives
- Understand the fundamentals of XRF spectroscopy and how it applies to the analysis of art.
- Learn the key features and limitations of XRF for examining art and archaeology.
- Gain skills in interpreting XRF spectra to identify specific elements in paint layers, inks and metals.
Scientific Art Examination – Resources:
Getty Conservation Institute (GCI) – USA
The British Museum – Scientific Research Department – UK
Scientific Research Department – The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA
C2RMF (Centre de Recherche et de Restauration des Musées de France) – France
Rijksmuseum – Science Department – Netherlands
