Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

In situ analysis of mediaeval wall paintings: a challenge for mobile Raman spectroscopy

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Raman spectroscopy is an analytical technique, which is gaining attention as a molecular technique for the investigation of objects of art. Especially the non-destructive properties of the method make this application suitable for the in situ analysis of artefacts. However, although using mobile, fibre optics Raman instrumentation for this type of research seems to be straightforward, some practical obstacles may hamper the investigation. In this paper, pitfalls and solutions are described when applying a dedicated spectrometer to the analysis of mediaeval wall paintings. It is shown how some practical problems may be overcome, and the results of the analysis are presented. Although the mediaeval wall paintings from the chapel of the castle of Ponthoz are well-preserved, still some interesting degradation phenomena could be observed: the identification of a black degradation product, likely to be meta-cinnabar, a degradation product of the red pigment vermilion (HgS); the formation of gypsum (CaSO4·2H2O) as a weathering product of calcium carbonate (CaCO3); the observation of copper(II)hydroxychlorides.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Ciliberto E, Spoto G (eds) (2000) Modern analytical methods in art and archaeology. Wiley, New York

    Google Scholar 

  2. Vandenabeele P (2004) J Raman Spectrosc (Special Issue: Raman Spectroscopy in Art and Archaeology) 35:607–609

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Clark RJH (1999) J Mol Struct 480–481:15–20

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Coupry Cl (2000) Analusis 28(1):39–46

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Castro K, Pérez-Alonso M, Rodriguez-Laso MD, Madariaga JM (2004) Spectrochim Acta Part A 60:2919–2924

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Vandenabeele P, Verpoort F, Moens L (2001) J Raman Spectrosc 32:263–269

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Pagès-Camana S, Duval A, Guicharnaud H (2004) J Raman Spectrosc 35:628–632

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Ruiz-Moreno S, Lopez-Gil A, Gabaldon A, Sandalinas C (2004) J Raman Spectrosc 35:640–645

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Gilbert B, Denoel S, Weber G, Allart D (2004) Analyst 128(10):1213–1217

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Bruni S, Cariati F, Casadio F, Toniolo L (1999) Spectrochim Acta Part A 55:1371–1377

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Derbyshire A, Withnall R (1999) J Raman Spectrosc 30:185–188

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Clark RJH, Gibbs PJ (1998) J Archaeol Sci 25:621–629

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Smith DC (2000) Techn Sci Service Hist Art Civ 11–69

  14. Smith DC (2003) Spectrochim Acta Part A 59:2353–2369

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Reiche I, Pagès-Camagna S, Lambacher L (2004) J Raman Spectrosc 35:719–725

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Edwards HGM (2004) Analyst 129(10):870–879

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Edwards HGM, Farwell DW, Perez FR, Jorge-Villar SE (1999) J Raman Spectrosc 30(4):307–311

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Edwards HGM, Middleton PS, Jorge-Villar SE, de Faria DLA (2003) Anal Chim Acta Part A 484(2):211–221

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Damiani D, Gliozzo E, Turbanti IM, Spangenberg JE (2003) Archaeometry 45(Part 2):341–354

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Edwards HGM, Gwyer ER, Tait JKF (1997) J Raman Spectrosc 28:677–684

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Brysbaert A, Vandenabeele P (2004) J Raman Spectrosc 35:686–693

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Bersani D, Lottici PP, Antonioli G, Campani E, Casoli A, Violante C (2004) J Raman Spectrosc 35:694–703

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Mazzeo R, Baraldi P, Lujan R, Fagnano C (2004) J Raman Spectrosc 35:678–685

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Vandenabeele P, Bodé S, Alonso A, Moens L (2005) Raman spectroscopic analysis of the Maya wall paintings in Ek'Balam, Mexico. Spectrochim Acta Part A 61(10):2349–2356

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Bruni S, Cariati F, Consolandi L, Galli A, Guglielmi V, Ludwig N, Milazzo M (2002) Appl Spectrosc 56(7):827–833

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Helbig J (1892) Revue de l'Art Chrétien, T.III—jan., 1–6

  27. Vandenabeele P, Weis TL, Grant ER, Moens LJ (2004) Anal Bioanal Chem 379:137–142

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Frost RL (2002) Spectrochim Acta Part A 59:1195–1204

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Scott DA (2000) Stud Conserv 45(1):39–53

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Bersani D, Antonioli G, Lottici PP, Casoli A (2003) Spectrochim Acta Part A 59(10):2409–2417

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to acknowledge the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO-Vlaanderen) for its financial support. The MArtA (Mobile Art Analyser) project is partially funded by means of the Flemish Government—Cultural Department (museumdecreet). P.V. is especially grateful to the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO-Vlaanderen) for his postdoctoral fellowship.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Analytical Chemistry, Ghent University—UGent, Proeftuinstraat 86, 9000, Ghent, Belgium

    Peter Vandenabeele, Karel Lambert, Sofie Matthys & Luc Moens

  2. Royal Institute of Art Patrimony (KIK/IRPA), 1000, Brussels, Belgium

    Walter Schudel

  3. Department of Art History, Ghent University, 9000, Ghent, Belgium

    Anna Bergmans

Authors
  1. Peter Vandenabeele
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Karel Lambert
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Sofie Matthys
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Walter Schudel
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Anna Bergmans
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Luc Moens
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Peter Vandenabeele.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Vandenabeele, P., Lambert, K., Matthys, S. et al. In situ analysis of mediaeval wall paintings: a challenge for mobile Raman spectroscopy. Anal Bioanal Chem 383, 707–712 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-005-0045-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-005-0045-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation