engleski

Application of the Nuclear Microprobe PIXE Analysis for the Determination of Inorganic Pigments: The Case of a Gothic Polychromed Portal

Conventional samples of paint layers cross section embedded in polyester resin as prepared for optical microscopy were used for the analysis using the focussed proton beam from the nuclear microprobe. By the detection of characteristic X-rays of elements present in the sample (PIXE spectroscopy), images of elemental distributions at the microscopic level were obtained. These images were compared with optical micrographs and previous results of classical microchemical methods. Samples selected for the present study were taken from the fifteenth century figurative portal of the St. Marko church in Zagreb. Results confirm the presence of different inorganic pigments in all investigated samples. Correlation between the results obtained and previous knowledge was established for each observed pigment. Implications of these results to the conservatory work is discussed.

nuclear microprobe; microanalysis; PIXE spectroscopy; inorganic pigments; medieval polychromy; polychromed architecture

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