- Understand the role of bromine in modifying organic pigments, particularly azo pigments.
- Identify the presence and behavior of bromine in pigments using XRF spectroscopy.
- Explore eosin as an example of bromine-containing pigments and its use in modern art.
- Pigments Checker – Modern and Contemporary Art Version (including eosin sample).
- Potassium bromide (KBr) sample for XRF analysis.
- XRF spectrometer with routine filter setup.
- Introduction to Bromine in Pigments: Discuss the chemical role of bromine in modifying organic pigments, emphasizing its impact on color and lightfastness. Highlight the substitution of hydrogen with bromine in large organic molecules to enhance pigment properties.
- Case Study: Eosin: Introduce eosin as a bromine-containing dye. Discuss its historical use by Vincent Van Gogh in his later works and the associated challenges, such as lightfastness and degradation.
- XRF Analysis of Bromine:
- Present the characteristic X-ray lines of bromine (Kα 11.9 keV, Kβ 13.3 keV).
- Demonstrate the use of potassium bromide as a baseline for bromine detection.
- Analyze the XRF spectrum of the eosin sample from the Pigments Checker, noting the diluted bromine signal.
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
