Non-invasive spectroscopic methods for the identification of drawing materials used in XVIII century

Abstract

The research presented in this work aimed to characterise the drawing tools used by Szymon Czechowicz (1689–1775), the most important Polish painter of the late baroque, and his apprentices. The research involved 41 works from the collections of the Jagiellonian University Museum in Krakow as well as the National Museums in Krakow and Warsaw. The drawings were investigated using non-invasive techniques such as Raman spectroscopy, X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF), false-colour technique (IRFC) as well as near-infrared (NIR) imaging. To confirm the results of non-destructive techniques selected micro-samples were also subjected to energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis (SEM-EDS). The use of complementary techniques allowed for the analysis of the chemical composition of the line of drawings and the recognition among drawing tools: sanguine and red pencil composed of red ochre, lead red pigment and white fillers in the form of chalk and plaster, sepia, bistre, black carbon ink, graphite pencil, coal and black pencil (from bone black). The identified materials are characteristic of the 18th century and the geographical areas on which the artist operated. The results of the conducted research can be used for comparison with other sketches attributed to the painter in order to verify their attribution.