UNIVERSITY OF BUCHAREST
FACULTY OF PHYSICS

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2024-11-24 22:09
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Conference: Bucharest University Faculty of Physics 2013 Meeting


Section: Nuclear and Elementary Particles Physics


Title:
Analysis paint layer of the icon the Christ the Judge 18-19th century by physical


Authors:
Dorina-Claudia Samoilescu, Octavian G.Duliu


Affiliation:
University of Bucharest,Faculty of Physics 405, Atomistilor str., 077125 Bucharest Magurel (Ilfov)

ROMANIA


E-mail
samoilescu.claudia@yahoo.com


Keywords:
icon, FT-IR, XRF-fluorescence, pigments, painting, restoration, degradation.


Abstract:
The results of the analysis of various paint layer materials of the icon the Christ the Judge icon performed in order to develop the technical documentation and to establish a proper restoration process are presented and discussed.For this purpose the X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and FT-IR spectroscopy were used to identify the icon pigments and primer while the optical microscopy and UV photography were used to highlight the degradation of the paint layer as well as of any other previous interventions. Accordingly, XRF allowed the identification of several potential mineral pigments such as chromium oxide, red lead, zinc oxide, iron or bronze ochre, while the blue pigment, due to the absence of any signal due to certain heavy element, has been assigned to indigo. A common component, revealed both by XRF and by FT-IR was calcium sulphate, confirming that the primer was made from plaster with minimal amounts of blue pigment (probably indigo) and green (probably chrome green.On its turn, the FT-IR spectroscopic allowed highlighting a binding protein, most likely collagen. By means of microscopic analysis, we ere able to identify minute changes in the pigment colours, most likely due to uneven depositions on the paint layer or attributable to the degradation likely to occur over time. On the grunt layer, there were observed adherent yellowish deposits that detach easily from the wood support, signifying the ageing of the organic components of the composition.Subsequent interventions, consisting of grouted and repainted gaps were also evidenced by UV photographic images.