Non-invasive identification of lead soaps in painted miniatures

0533696 - ÚACH 2021 RIV DE eng J - Journal Article
Garrappa, Silvia - Hradil, David - Hradilová, J. - Kočí, Eva - Pech, M. - Bezdička, Petr - Švarcová, Silvie
Non-invasive identification of lead soaps in painted miniatures.
Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry. Roč. 413, č. 1 (2021), s. 263-278. ISSN 1618-2642. E-ISSN 1618-2650
R&D Projects: GA ČR(CZ) GA17-15621S; GA MK(CZ) DG18P02OVV034
Institutional support: RVO:61388980
Keywords : Metal soaps * Miniature paintings * Non-invasive analysis * Spectroscopy * X-ray diffraction * X-ray fluorescence
OECD category: Inorganic and nuclear chemistry
Impact factor: 4.478, year: 2021
Method of publishing: Open access with time embargo

The lack of an appropriate methodology makes numerous important issues related to miniature paintings unresolved—despite the fact that the portrait miniatures of the seventeenth to the nineteenth century represent a highly specific and significant field of European fine art. One of these issues is represented by chemical degradation of miniatures and its analytical evidence. Fragility, variability of the employed materials, and detailed execution make their analysis highly challenging—since no sampling is usually allowed and any change on their surface is immediately noticeable. Therefore, this study focused on finding a fully non-invasive multi-analytical approach to describe degradation processes resulting from the interaction of lead pigments and oils. For this purpose, a representative set of miniature portraits on various supports (ivory, metal, glass) has been selected. For the first time, Pb carboxylates (lead soaps) have been evidenced in miniatures painted in oil and also in a combined technique (gum + oil). Their distribution and crystallinity was described by a combination of X-ray-based (X-ray fluorescence and X-ray diffraction) and micro-spectroscopic methods. At the same time, a number of new findings about the employed painting technique and involvement of various pigments in the degradation processes were obtained. For example, a possible saponification of a mixed Pb-Sn-Sb yellow was indicated for the first time. Although the degradation is clearly at an advanced stage, it has not shown yet any visible symptoms that might warn restorers and curators. Therefore, without targeted analysis, it would remain overlooked.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0316536