Possibilities of various arrangements of X-ray fluorescence analysis in the study of paintings

Abstract

Energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence analysis (EDXRF) is a very useful method of elemental analysis in the study of works of art and archaeological finds, allowing the simultaneous non-destructive identification of a number of elements. A certain problem, if samples are not to be extracted from the investigated artifact, is its small depth range. However, this is not a serious drawback when it comes to the analysis of thin layers, such as plating or painting.In our laboratory, XRF was gradually developed and the equipment improved, with one of the main goals being the study of archaeological finds and works of art for the purposes of learning about the cultural heritage and restoration works.The presented paper aims to compare the possibilities of different macro- and micro-XRF instrumental arrangements in the study of paintings, from fast orientational measurement with a compact hand-held device through 2D scanning with a collimated beam to 3D analysis with collimated X-ray optics. Attention is paid to both the advantages and limitations of individual arrangements. A small painting by A. Piepenhagen, a typical representative of 19th century romantic landscape painting, was chosen as the object on which the possibilities of individual XRF variants are demonstrated.