Raman study of a work of art fragment

TL;DR

This study used Raman spectroscopy to analyze a deteriorated art fragment, successfully identifying pigments and inferring the artwork's typology as a fresco based on pigment composition.

Contribution

It demonstrates a method for pigment identification on degraded art samples using Raman spectroscopy combined with sample preparation techniques.

Findings

Identified pigments including Carbon Black, Orange iron oxide, and Azurite.

Connected pigment composition to historical fresco techniques.

Attributed the artwork to a fresco based on pigment analysis.

Abstract

The purpose of the present report was the study and identification of an unspecified sample on a work of art by means only of a microscope coupled to a Raman spectrometer. The origin of the fragment was unknown. The Raman spectra on the virgin sample were giving no results because of a deteriorated surface treatment, in spite of the evident blue color identified by microscopic visual inspection. The sample fragmentation and the preparation of a KBr pellet allowed the distribution of the painting layers of the different components on a flat substrate reducing surface effects. Selecting the areas of different color and focusing there it was possible to identify the pigments from their Raman spectra locally acquired by selective excitation. Raman spectra were assigned by comparison with published databases. It was possible to connect Carbon Black and Orange iron oxide, as documented historically, as constituents of Azurite preparatory layer Morellone, according to a technique generally employed to allow the use of Azurite blue pigment on frescos, consequently the identification of typology of work of art was deducted and attributed to a fresco.