- Understand the significance of iodine in modern art pigments.
- Learn to identify erythrosine (PR172) through its characteristic iodine X-ray emission lines.
- Erythrosine (PR172) pigment sample in Pigments Checker – Modern Art.
- Potassium iodide
- Discuss the role of iodine in achieving specific colors in modern organic pigments.
- Introduce Erythrosine as a common iodine-containing pigment used in food, cosmetics, and art.
- Analyze the Erythrosine pigment using XRF spectroscopy.
- Identify the characteristic iodine K-alpha line in the Erythrosine spectrum. Compare the Erythrosine spectrum to the potassium iodide reference standard.
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
