The Pigments Checker “Modern & Contemporary Art” is a specialized reference tool developed by Cultural Heritage Science Open Source (CHSOS) to support technical imaging and material analysis of pigments used in modern and contemporary artworks (post-1950). This focused collection complements the broader Pigments Checker Standard by featuring key synthetic and industrially produced colorants that have shaped 20th- and 21st-century artistic practice, addressing the unique analytical challenges posed by modern media.

Designed for conservators, photographers, scientists, and students, the Modern Pigments Checker provides swatches applied with a stable acrylic binder on an inert paper support, enabling consistent comparison across imaging modalities. A companion spectral database accompanies the set, offering downloadable datasets including XRF, FTIR, Raman, and reflectance spectra tailored to these pigments — an essential resource for non-invasive identification workflows.

A central application of this tool lies in technical photography: by photographing the pigments under varying spectral conditions, including visible, ultraviolet, and infrared bands, users can visualize how modern colors behave beyond the visible spectrum. This is invaluable for revealing features such as pigment transparency, fluorescence, and absorption characteristics that inform both material identification and imaging interpretation.

The Pigments Checker “Modern & Contemporary Art” not only aids in refining imaging technique and calibration but also deepens understanding of how modern pigments interact with light — knowledge that underpins accurate documentation, conservation decision-making, and scholarly research of contemporary works.