Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-2brh9 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-26T16:59:19.098Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

X-ray powder diffraction investigation of green earth pigments

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 February 2012

Alicja Rafalska-Lasocha
Affiliation:
Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, ul. Ingardena 3, 30-060 Krakow, Poland
Zofia Kaszowska
Affiliation:
Faculty of Conservation and Restoration of Works of Art, Jan Matejko Academy of Fine Art in Krakow, 27-29 Lea Street, 30-052 Krakow, Poland
Wieslaw Lasocha
Affiliation:
Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, ul. Ingardena 3, 30-060 Krakow, Poland andInstitute of Catalysis and Surface Chemistry PAS, ul. Niezapominajek 8, 30-239 Krakow, Poland
Roman Dziembaj
Affiliation:
Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, ul. Ingardena 3, 30-060 Krakow, Poland

Abstract

Laboratory X-ray powder diffraction was used to investigate mineralogical compositions of green pigments labeled by suppliers as “green earths.” It was found that glauconite and celadonite—minerals historically considered as the main ingredient of this pigment—were present only in Bohemian green earth, green earth from Thuringen (glauconite), and Bavarian green earth (celadonite). Other investigated pigments consist of mineralogical-component minerals with added synthetic organic colorants. The obtained results may be useful for scientists, restorers, and artists in proper choices of the pigments they use in their works.

Type
Technical Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2010

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Bugoi, R., Constantinescu, B., Pantos, E., and Popovici, D. (2008). “Investigation of Neolithic ceramic pigments using synchrotron radiation X-ray diffraction,” Powder Diffr. PODIE2 23, 195199. 10.1154/1.2958068Google Scholar
Calza, C., Anjos, M. J., Mendonca de Souza, S. M. F., Brancaglion, A., and Lopes, R. T. (2007). “X-ray microfluorescence analysis of pigments in decorative paintings from the sarcophagus cartonnage of an Egyptian mummy,” Nucl. Instrum. Methods Phys. Res. B NIMBEU 263, 249252. 10.1016/j.nimb.2007.04.100Google Scholar
Dooryhée, E., Anne, M., Bardies, I., Hodeau, J.-L., Martinetto, P., Rondot, S., Salomon, J., Vaughan, G. B. M., and Walter, P. (2005). “Non-destructive synchrotron X-ray diffraction mapping of a Roman painting,” Appl. Phys. A: Solids Surf. APSFDB 81, 663667. 10.1007/s00339-005-3281-6CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Duran, A., Castaing, J., and Walter, P. (2008). “Studies of Pompeian wall paintings using synchrotron high resolution X-ray powder diffraction and laboratory system,” Synchrotron Radiation in Art and Archeology, Barcelona, October 22–24 (http://161.116.85.21/sr2a/abstractsHTM/duranabstract.pdf).Google Scholar
Eastaugh, N., Walsh, V., Chaplin, T., and Siddall, R. (2008). Pigment Compendium: A Dictionary and Optical Microscopy of Historical Pigments (Elsevier, London).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Feller, R. L. (1986). Artists’ Pigments: A Handbook of their History and Characteristics (Oxford University Press, New York), pp. 149.Google Scholar
Hradil, D., Grygar, T., Hradilova, J., and Bezdicka, P. (2003). “Cly and iron oxide pigments in the history of painting,” Appl. Clay Sci. ACLSER 22, 223236. 10.1016/S0169-1317(03)00076-0Google Scholar
Hradil, D., Grygar, T., Hruskova, M., Bezdicka, P., Lang, K., Schneeweiss, O., and Chvatal, M. (2004). “Green earth pigment from the Kadan region, Chech Republic: Use of rare Fe-rich smectite,” Clays Clay Miner. CLCMAB 52, 767778. 10.1346/CCMN.2004.0520612Google Scholar
Ospitali, F., Bersani, D., Di Lonardo, G., and Lottici, P. P. (2008). “Green earths: Vibrational and elemental characterization of glauconites, celadonites and historical pigments,” J. Raman Spectrosc. JRSPAF 39, 10661073. 10.1002/jrs.1983Google Scholar
Simova, V., Bezdicka, P., Hradilova, J., Hradil, D., and Grygar, T. (2005). “X-ray powder microdiffraction for routine analysis of paintings,” Powder Diffr. PODIE2 20, 224229. 10.1154/1.1938983CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Welcomme, E., Walter, P., Bleuet, P., Hodeau, J.-L., Dooryhee, E., Martinetto, P., and Menu, M. (2007). “Classification of lead white pigments using synchrotron radiation micro X-ray diffraction,” Appl. Phys. A: Mater. Sci. Process. APAMFC 89, 825832. 10.1007/s00339-007-4217-0Google Scholar