Characterization of Green Paints in Ming and Qianlong Dynasties' Lin'xi Pavilion by Complimentary Techniques.

Marcie B Wiggins,Catherine Matsen,Mengyu Liu,Karl S Booksh,Chang Liu

doi:10.3390/molecules26020266

Abstract

During conservation of the painted ceiling decoration of Lin’xi Pavilion in the Forbidden City, two distinct paint campaigns were isolated as a unique case study into architectural paint materials during both the Ming and Qing dynasties. Paint samples and cross sections from both paint generations were analyzed with SEM-EDX, time of flight-secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS), XRD, FTIR, and Raman spectroscopies. Similar organic and inorganic materials characteristic of these time periods were identified. The pigments of interest found in both paint generations were botallackite and atacamite polymorphs. This suggests a shift from natural mineral sources to synthetic copper-based pigments for these larger architectural projects.

Highlights

Lin’xi Pavilion (Lin Xi Ting) is a landscape building located in the southern part of the Cining Palace Garden, or the Garden of Compassion and Tranquility, found in the northwestern part of the Forbidden City, Beijing (Figure 1)
The materials were very similar across the two paint generations
Both contained silk and paper substrates which had been treated with calcium sulfate and animal glue

Summary

Introduction

Lin’xi Pavilion (Lin Xi Ting) is a landscape building located in the southern part of the Cining Palace Garden, or the Garden of Compassion and Tranquility, found in the northwestern part of the Forbidden City, Beijing (Figure 1). It served as the residence and leisure area for the dowager empress and concubines of the Ming and Qing dynasties. According to Sun Chengze’s Chun Ming Meng Yu Lu: “Lin Xi Hall was built in the 6th year of Wanli Era and was renamed as Lin Xi Ting in May of the 11th year of Wanli Era [1].” This corresponds to 1578, when the pavilion would have been completed.

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Results

Conclusion