Abstract
In this paper, we describe an X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) study of copper resinate, a transparent green glaze that is coloured by copper salts of resin acids. This pigment was used in Europe in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, but it does not seem to be a usual feature of the palette anywhere after the end of the sixteenth century, because its tendency to discolour was already widely known by artists. An essential prerequisite for the restoration of works of art is the understanding of the effects of various climatic parameters on the deterioration process. For this reason, pictorial models of copper resinate in linseed oil, capable of simulating the ancient paintings on mobile supports, were prepared and aged in a climatic chamber, under different conditions such as exposure to UV radiations, humidity and different concentration of chemical pollutants (NO2 and SO2).
All the samples were investigated by XPS and the data obtained were evaluated in order to estimate aging effects as well as mechanisms of degradation. On these paint layers damage induced by X-ray irradiation was also verified.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Explore related subjects
Discover the latest articles, news and stories from top researchers in related subjects.Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
R. Ashok, Artist’s Pigments, A Handbook of their History and Characteristics, Vol. 2 (Oxford University Press, Washington DC, 1993)
C. Altavilla, E. Ciliberto, Appl. Phys. A 79, 309 (2004)
C. Altavilla, E. Ciliberto, Michelangelo’s David Surface Investigations, an XPS Approach: Exploring David Diagnostic Test and State of Conservation ed. by S. Bracci, F. Falletti, M. Matteini, R. Scopigno (Firenze, 2004)
E. Ciliberto, C. Altavilla, Chim. Ind. 7, 84 (2002)
M.P. Colombini, G. Lanterna, A. Mairani, M. Mattini, F. Modugno, M. Rizzi, Ann. Chim. 91, 749 (2001)
D. Scalarone, M. Lazzari, O. Chiantore, J. Anal. Appl. Pyrol. 64, 345 (2002)
J.P. Tobin, W. Hirschwald, J. Cunningham, Appl. Surf. Sci. 16, 441 (1983)
B. Wallbank, C.E. Johnson, I.G. Main, J. Electron. Spectrosc. Relat. Phenom. 4, 236 (1974)
J.C. Klein, C.P. Li, D.M. Hercules, J.F. Black, Appl. Spectrosc. 38, 729 (1984)
K. Hirokawa, F. Honda, M. Oku, J. Electron. Spectrosc. Relat. Phenom. 6, 333 (1975)
Y. Iijima, N. Niimura, K. Hiraoka, Surf. Interf. Anal. 24, 193 (1996)
S.W. Taft , J.W. Mayer, The Science of Paintings (Springer, New York, 2000)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
PACS
79.60.-i; 61.80.Cb; 81.40.Cd
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Altavilla, C., Ciliberto, E. Copper resinate: an XPS study of degradation. Appl. Phys. A 83, 699–703 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00339-006-3531-2
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00339-006-3531-2