Chapter 16
Spectroscopy in the Analysis
of Artworks
Tomasz Łojewski and Barbara Łydżba-Kopczyńska
Abstract This chapter is dedicated to the application of selected spectroscopic
techniques to investigations on cultural heritage objects. The rapid technical
advancement of Raman instrumentation, observed in the recent years, positioned
this spectroscopy as an outmost tool in this field. The use of Raman spectroscopy in
the analysis of chemical composition is presented for several classes of heritage
materials: manuscripts, painting, ceramics, minerals, and amber. In Sect. 16.3, Vis
fiber optic reflectance spectroscopy is presented as a tool allowing one to obtain
information important for selecting proper preventive measures, in this case,
exhibition policies safeguarding artifacts against photodegradation. The technique
discussed here—the microfade testing (MFT)—allows monitoring color changes as
induced by the action of light on a selected spot on the artifact in real time, thus
giving the most direct, empirical clues to a possible future alteration of the objects’
appearance when it is exposed to light on a museum wall.
16.1 Introduction
Analysis of art and heritage objects using spectroscopic methods can provide
exceptionally valuable information on the chemical composition and morphology
of the object as well as technology of its creation. Information gathered in this way
is of a fundamental importance to conservators planning and executing their work
as well as for art historians studying ancient techniques. Using methods that allow
surface imaging, one can reach under the layers of paint and reveal the artist’s
earlier ideas or read the hidden content of the palimpsest or charred papyri.
T. Łojewski (&)
Faculty of Materials Science and Ceramics, AGH University of Science
and Technology, 30 Mickiewicza Av., 30-059 Krakow, Poland
e-mail: lojewski@agh.edu.pl
B. Łydżba-Kopczyńska
Faculty of Chemistry, University of Wroclaw, F. Joliot-Curie 14,
50-383 Wroclaw, Poland
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2019
A. Koleżyński and M. Król (eds.), Molecular Spectroscopy—Experiment
and Theory, Challenges and Advances in Computational Chemistry
and Physics 26, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-01355-4_16
483
Spectroscopy in the Analysis
of Artworks
Tomasz Łojewski and Barbara Łydżba-Kopczyńska
Abstract This chapter is dedicated to the application of selected spectroscopic
techniques to investigations on cultural heritage objects. The rapid technical
advancement of Raman instrumentation, observed in the recent years, positioned
this spectroscopy as an outmost tool in this field. The use of Raman spectroscopy in
the analysis of chemical composition is presented for several classes of heritage
materials: manuscripts, painting, ceramics, minerals, and amber. In Sect. 16.3, Vis
fiber optic reflectance spectroscopy is presented as a tool allowing one to obtain
information important for selecting proper preventive measures, in this case,
exhibition policies safeguarding artifacts against photodegradation. The technique
discussed here—the microfade testing (MFT)—allows monitoring color changes as
induced by the action of light on a selected spot on the artifact in real time, thus
giving the most direct, empirical clues to a possible future alteration of the objects’
appearance when it is exposed to light on a museum wall.
16.1 Introduction
Analysis of art and heritage objects using spectroscopic methods can provide
exceptionally valuable information on the chemical composition and morphology
of the object as well as technology of its creation. Information gathered in this way
is of a fundamental importance to conservators planning and executing their work
as well as for art historians studying ancient techniques. Using methods that allow
surface imaging, one can reach under the layers of paint and reveal the artist’s
earlier ideas or read the hidden content of the palimpsest or charred papyri.
T. Łojewski (&)
Faculty of Materials Science and Ceramics, AGH University of Science
and Technology, 30 Mickiewicza Av., 30-059 Krakow, Poland
e-mail: lojewski@agh.edu.pl
B. Łydżba-Kopczyńska
Faculty of Chemistry, University of Wroclaw, F. Joliot-Curie 14,
50-383 Wroclaw, Poland
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2019
A. Koleżyński and M. Król (eds.), Molecular Spectroscopy—Experiment
and Theory, Challenges and Advances in Computational Chemistry
and Physics 26, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-01355-4_16
483