- Understand the historical and artistic applications of silver in art.
- Recognize the characteristic XRF lines of silver and their significance.
- Analyze a daguerreotype as a case study for silver’s use in early photography.
- Sample of pure silver (e.g., silver ring).
- A daguerreotype.
- Introduction to Silver in Art
- Discuss silver’s historical use, focusing on silver leaf and the meccatura technique for tone adjustments.
- Explain the rarity of silver as a powdered pigment due to its tendency to tarnish.
- XRF Analysis of Silver
- Present the XRF spectrum of pure silver, highlighting the Kα (22.1 keV) and Kβ (24.9 keV) peaks, as well as the L-series lines.
- Case Study: Daguerreotype Analysis
- Describe the composition of a daguerreotype: a copper support coated with silver.
- Explain the photographic process involving mercury vapors.
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
