Thin layered drawing media probed by THz time-domain spectroscopy.

Dry and wet drawing materials were investigated by THz time-domain spectroscopy in transmission mode. Carbon-based and iron-gall inks have been studied, some prepared following ancient recipes and others using current synthetic materials; a commercial ink was studied as well. We measured the THz signals on the thin films of liquid inks deposited on polyethylene pellicles, comparing the results with the thick pellets of dried inks blended with polyethylene powder. This study required the implementation of an accurate experimental method and data analysis procedure able to provide a reliable extraction of the material transmission parameters from a structured sample composed of thin layers, down to a thickness of a few tens of micrometers. THz measurements on thin ink layers enabled the determination of both the absorption and the refractive index in an absolute scale in the 0.1-3 THz range, as well as the layer thickness. THz spectroscopic features of a paper sheet dyed by using one of the iron-gall inks were also investigated. Our results showed that THz time-domain spectroscopy enables the discrimination of various inks on different supports, including the application on paper, together with the proper determination of the absorption coefficients and indices of refraction.

Terracotta polychrome sculptures examined before and after their conservation work: contributions from non-invasive in situ analytical techniques.

The potential of non-invasive in situ analytical techniques such as portable Raman, portable X-ray fluorescence, portable optical microscope and fibre optics reflectance spectroscopy has been shown studying painted layers of Renaissance terracotta polychrome sculptures belonging to the statuary of Santo Sepolcro Church in Milan. The results obtained allowed pointing out the contribution of these techniques to the compositional diagnostic, providing complete information, in some cases, better than micro-destructive techniques, on the kind of pigments used on the external painted layers. Moreover, a comparison with the results obtained before the last conservation work (2009) with micro-destructive techniques allowed ascertaining the removal of the external painted layers during the conservation operations.

Colored grounds of gilt stucco surfaces as analyzed by a combined microscopic, spectroscopic and elemental analytical approach.

A survey of gilts applied to stucco surfaces that specifically focuses on the compositions of their colored grounds is reported. Gilt samples of a common geographical (Lombardy in Italy) and temporal provenance (17th-18th century) were studied in the form of polished cross-sections by optical and electron microscopy (SEM-EDS), micro-Raman (microRaman) spectroscopy and Fourier-transform infrared microspectroscopy (microFTIR). Comparing samples with superimposed grounds and gilts enabled light to be shed on the choice of specific materials, their stratigraphic functions, decorative effects, and technological performances. Iron oxide pigments were found in the older grounds, sometimes in the presence of lead white (2PbCO(3).Pb(OH)(2)) or minium (Pb(3)O(4)). In more recent grounds, chrome yellow (PbCrO(4)), chrome orange (PbCrO(4).PbO), cinnabar (alpha-HgS) and barium white (BaSO(4)), invariably mixed with lead white, were encountered. Evidence for the use of organic mordants (colophony and wax, or siccative oil) was obtained by microFTIR. This combined microFTIR and microRaman spectroscopic and elemental (SEM-EDS) analytical approach enhances knowledge of the composition of gold grounds, their variability and their chronological evolution.