Characterization of pigments in a limestone sculpture "Las tres generaciones" (Cathedral's museum of Santiago de Compostela, Spain) by optical microscopy and micro-Raman spectroscopy

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2005

Authors

Prieto, AC (Author) Other; Guedes, A (Author) Other; Doria, A (Author) Other; Noronha, F (Author) FCUP

Journal

Title: Canadian Journal of Analytical Sciences and Spectroscopy

Vol. 50

Pages: 87-96

ISSN: 1205-6685

Publisher: Spectroscopy Society of Canada

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 6 Citations

Scopus - 1 Citation

Scientific classification

FOS: Natural sciences > Chemical sciences

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-000-5A3

Abstract (EN): The present work describes the use of the combination of optical microscopy and micro-Raman spectroscopy for the identification of pigments in a polychromatic limestone sculpture. Optical microscopy reveals the presence of a preparation coating above the limestone sculpture and a polychromatic multicoating covering. Several interventions were identified and micro-Raman profiles revealed the presence of different mineralogical phases used as chromatic pigments, golden prints, shades, golden pieces and inerts as well as the alteration grade of the layers. The analysis led us to the identification of several pigments: hematite, minium, vermilion, carbon black, azurite and calcite, among others. The results confirm the existence of different interventions in this sculpture and the use of pigments and mixtures, either nobles or more common ones, depending on the intervention date. Optical microscopy, together with micro-Raman spectroscopy is useful in the determination of the pictorial palette used in the polychromatism of artwork, and are also important tools used in conservation works.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 10