| Record |
| Author |
van der Snickt, G.; Dubois, H.; Sanyova, J.; Legrand, S.; Coudray, A.; Glaude, C.; Postec, M.; van Espen, P.; Janssens, K. |
| Title |
Large-area elemental imaging reveals Van Eyck's original paint layers on the Ghent altarpiece (1432), rescoping its conservation treatment |
Type |
A1 Journal article |
Year  |
2017 |
Publication |
Angewandte Chemie: international edition in English |
Abbreviated Journal |
Angew Chem Int Edit |
| Volume |
56 |
Issue |
17 |
Pages |
4797-4801 |
| Keywords |
A1 Journal article; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation) |
| Abstract |
A combination of large-scale and micro-scale elemental imaging, yielding elemental distribution maps obtained by, respectively non-invasive macroscopic X-ray fluorescence (MA-XRF) and by secondary electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM-EDX) and synchrotron radiation-based micro-XRF (SR m-XRF) imaging was employed to reorient and optimize the conservation strategy of van Eyck's renowned Ghent Altarpiece. By exploiting the penetrative properties of X-rays together with the elemental specificity offered by XRF, it was possible to visualize the original paint layers by van Eyck hidden below the overpainted surface and to simultaneously assess their condition. The distribution of the high-energy Pb-L and Hg-L emission lines revealed the exact location of hidden paint losses, while Fe-K maps demonstrated how and where these lacunae were filled-up using an iron-containing material. The chemical maps nourished the scholarly debate on the overpaint removal with objective, chemical arguments, leading to the decision to remove all skillfully applied overpaints, hitherto interpreted as work by van Eyck. MA-XRF was also employed for monitoring the removal of the overpaint during the treatment phase. To gather complementary information on the in-depth layer build-up, SEM-EDX and SR mu-XRF imaging was used on paint cross sections to record microscale elemental maps. |
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Thesis |
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| Publisher |
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Place of Publication |
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Editor |
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| Language |
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Wos |
000398576000019 |
Publication Date |
2017-03-23 |
| Series Editor |
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Series Title |
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Abbreviated Series Title |
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| Series Volume |
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Series Issue |
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Edition |
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| ISSN |
1433-7851; 0570-0833 |
ISBN |
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Additional Links |
UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles |
| Impact Factor |
11.994 |
Times cited |
11 |
Open Access |
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| Notes |
; This research was supported by the Baillet Latour fund, the Belgian Science Policy Office (Projects MO/39/011) and the Gieskes-Strijbis fund. The authors are also indebted to the BOF-GOA SOLAR Paint project of the University of Antwerp Research Council. The church wardens of the cathedral of St. Bavo and their chairman L. Collin are acknowledged for this agreeable collaboration. We also wish to thank conservators L. Depuydt, B. De Volder, F. Rosier, N. Laquiere and G. Steyaert as well as the members of the international committee. We are indebted to Prof. Em. A. Van Grevenstein-Kruse. ; |
Approved |
Most recent IF: 11.994 |
| Call Number |
UA @ admin @ c:irua:142376 |
Serial |
5688 |
| Permanent link to this record |
