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Author Cotte, M.; Checroun, E.; De Nolf, W.; Taniguchi, Y.; De Viguerie, L.; Burghammer, M.; Walter, P.; Rivard, C.; Salome, M.; Janssens, K.; Susini, J.
Title Lead soaps in paintings : friends or foes? Type A1 Journal article
Year 2017 Publication Studies in conservation Abbreviated Journal Stud Conserv
Volume 62 Issue 1 Pages 2-23
Keywords A1 Journal article; Art; History; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)
Abstract (up) The origin(s) and role(s) of metal soaps in paints are a worldwide concern today. These hybrid compounds, containing both fatty acid chains and metals associated with a carboxylate function, are increasingly identified in paints. As reviewed in the first part of this work, the presence of metal soaps in paints is differently interpreted in scientific publications: metal soaps are sometimes considered to play a positive role as anchor points, during paint drying processes; they can also be considered as responsible for many degradation processes (protrusions, efflorescences, darkening, etc.). Their origins are also interpreted in various ways. In some paintings (in particular from the twentieth century), they have sometimes introduced on purpose, as additives, to modify the physical properties of the painting materials. In older paintings, metal soaps are usually thought to result from an uncontrolled reaction of oil with lead-based pigments, in particular lead white, red lead, and lead tin yellow. In the second part of this work, the review of historical recipes of lead-based paint shows an important number of recipes based on controlled mixing of oil with lead driers. In the third part, the experimental reproduction of such traditional recipes using walnut oil and litharge (PbO) shows that lead soaps can be formed, both in about one hour at approximate to 100 degrees C, or in about one month at room temperature. It shows as well that after a few years, litharge is no longer detected in the paint medium, while different lead carbonates are. Finally, the micro-infrared spectroscopy and micro-X-ray diffraction re-analysis of protrusions from a nine-year model painting shows together with lead soaps, the presence of Pb-5(CO3)(3)(OH)(2)O ('synthetic plumbonacrite'), an unusual phase recently observed in a protrusion from a painting by Vincent Van Gogh. This work highlights (i) the multiple origins and roles of metal soaps in paints and (ii) the importance of combining the analysis of fragments from historical paintings with the analysis and reproduction of historical recipes. In particular, we show that the components detected today in historical paintings may severely differ from those originally used or prepared by the painter, complicating the assessment of the painter's intentions. More than the presence of metal soaps, the key questions to be tackled should be about their origins and (re)mobilization.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000393691200002 Publication Date 2016-10-03
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0039-3630; 2047-0584 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 0.578 Times cited 26 Open Access
Notes ; This work was supported by the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility. ; Approved Most recent IF: 0.578
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:141976 Serial 5690
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Author Monico, L.; Janssens, K.; Miliani, C.; Brunetti, B.G.; Vagnini, M.; Vanmeert, F.; Falkenberg, G.; Abakumov, A.; Lu, Y.; Tian, H.; Verbeeck, J.; Radepont, M.; Cotte, M.; Hendriks, E.; Geldof, M.; van der Loeff, L.; Salvant, J.; Menu, M.;
Title Degradation process of lead chromate in paintings by Vincent van Gogh studied by means of spectromicroscopic methods : 3 : synthesis, characterization, and detection of different crystal forms of the chrome yellow pigment Type A1 Journal article
Year 2013 Publication Analytical chemistry Abbreviated Journal Anal Chem
Volume 85 Issue 2 Pages 860-867
Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)
Abstract (up) The painter, Vincent van Gogh, and some of his contemporaries frequently made use of the pigment chrome yellow that is known to show a tendency toward darkening. This pigment may correspond to various chemical compounds such as PbCrO4 and PbCr1-xSxO4, that may each be present in various crystallographic forms with different tendencies toward degradation. Investigations by X-ray diffraction (XRD), mid-Fourier Transform infrared (FTIR), and Raman instruments (benchtop and portable) and synchrotron radiation-based micro-XRD and X-ray absorption near edge structure spectroscopy performed on oil-paint models, prepared with in-house synthesized PbCrO4 and PbCr1-xSxO4, permitted us to characterize the spectroscopic features of the various forms. On the basis of these results, an extended study has been carried out on historic paint tubes and on embedded paint microsamples taken from yellow-orange/pale yellow areas of 12 Van Gogh paintings, demonstrating that Van Gogh effectively made use of different chrome yellow types. This conclusion was also confirmed by in situ mid-FTIR investigations on Van Goghs Portrait of Gauguin (Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam).
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Washington, D.C. Editor
Language Wos 000313668400031 Publication Date 2012-10-10
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0003-2700;1520-6882; ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 6.32 Times cited 79 Open Access
Notes Goa; Fwo Approved Most recent IF: 6.32; 2013 IF: 5.825
Call Number UA @ lucian @ c:irua:108707UA @ admin @ c:irua:108707 Serial 631
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Author Radepont, M.; Coquinot, Y.; Janssens, K.; Ezrati, J.-J.; de Nolf, W.; Cotte, M.
Title Thermodynamic and experimental study of the degradation of the red pigment mercury sulfide Type A1 Journal article
Year 2015 Publication Journal of analytical atomic spectrometry Abbreviated Journal J Anal Atom Spectrom
Volume 30 Issue 3 Pages 599-612
Keywords A1 Journal article; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)
Abstract (up) The red pigment mercury sulfide, called cinnabar or vermilion, is well known to suffer from an alteration giving rise to a grey, grey-white or black color at the surface of degraded works of art. This phenomenon can dramatically affect the esthetical value of artworks. This work aims at assessing the factors (light, halides) influencing the instability of red mercury sulfide and understanding (by combining thermodynamic and experimental approaches) the chemical equilibria governing the formation and evolution of the different degradation compounds. From the thermodynamic study of the Hg-S-Cl-H2O system, it was concluded that Hg(0), Hg3S2Cl2, and Hg2Cl2 can be formed from the reaction of alpha-HgS with ClO(g). In the second part, the artificial ageing experiments presented were carried out on model samples following the conditions assessed in the first part, in order to reproduce natural ageing observed on red mercury sulfide. Similarly to degradation compounds detected on original works of art, mercury chlorine compounds such as calomel (Hg2Cl2) and corderoite (alpha-Hg3S2Cl2) were identified on the surface of alpha-HgS model samples, when exposed to light and a sodium hypochlorite solution. Sulfates were detected as well, and more particularly gypsum (CaSO4 center dot 2H(2)O) when Ca was originally present in the model sample. The relationship between color and composition is discussed as well.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000350650800005 Publication Date 2015-01-02
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0267-9477 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 3.379 Times cited 26 Open Access
Notes ; The authors gratefully acknowledge the ESRF for granting beamtime under proposal no. EC720. Michel Dubus is thanked for providing precious advices concerning ageing protocols. This research was supported by Belgian Science Policy project S2-ART (BELSPO S4DA), the GOA “SOLARPAINT” (Research Fund University of Antwerp, Belgium) and FWO (Brussels, Belgium) projects no. G.0C12.13, G.0704.08 and G.01769.09. ; Approved Most recent IF: 3.379; 2015 IF: 3.466
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:125474 Serial 5877
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Author Cagno, S.; Nuyts, G.; Bugani, S.; De Vis, K.; Schalm, O.; Caen, J.; Helfen, L.; Cotte, M.; Reischig, P.; Janssens, K.
Title Evaluation of manganese-bodies removal in historical stained glass windows via SR-\mu-XANES/XRF and SR-\mu-CT Type A1 Journal article
Year 2011 Publication Journal of analytical atomic spectrometry Abbreviated Journal J Anal Atom Spectrom
Volume 26 Issue 12 Pages 2442-2451
Keywords A1 Journal article; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)
Abstract (up) The speed and effectiveness of a conservation treatment used for stained glass windows have been investigated. Dark-coloured Mn-rich stains can be found in the alteration layer of ancient glass artefacts and cause the surface to turn brown/black: this phenomenon is known as Mn-browning or Mn-staining. While in glass manganese is present in the +II or +III oxidation states, in the Mn-rich bodies, manganese is in a higher oxidation state (+IV). In restoration practice, mildly reducing solutions are employed to eliminate the dark colour and restore the clear appearance of the glass. In this paper the effectiveness and side effects of the use of hydroxylamine hydrochloride for this purpose are assessed. Archaeological fragments of stained glass windows, dated to the 14th century and originating from Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge (UK), were examined by means of synchrotron radiation (SR) based microscopic X-ray Absorption Near-Edge Spectroscopy (μ-XANES) and microscopic X-Ray Fluorescence (μ-XRF) and with high resolution computed absorption tomography (μ-CT) before, during and after the treatment. The monitoring of the glass fragments during the treatment allows us to better understand the manner in which the process unfolds and its kinetics. The results obtained reveal that the hydroxylamine hydrochloride treatment is effective, but also that it has a number of unwanted side effects. These findings are useful for optimizing the time and other modalities of the Mn-reducing treatment as well as minimizing its unwanted results.
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Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000297030400009 Publication Date 2011-10-11
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0267-9477 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 3.379 Times cited 17 Open Access
Notes ; This research was supported by the Interuniversity Attraction Poles Programme-Belgian Science Policy (IUAP VI/16). The text also presents results of GOA “XANES meets ELNES” (Research Fund University of Antwerp, Belgium) and from FWO (Brussels, Belgium) projects no. G.0704.08 and G.01769.09. Special thanks to Ms Leonie Seliger, head of the stained-glass conservation studio (The Cathedral Studios-The Chapter of Canterbury Cathedral) for the supply of the archaeological samples. The authors gratefully acknowledge ESRF for granting beamtime (proposal EC-602). ; Approved Most recent IF: 3.379; 2011 IF: 3.220
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:93848 Serial 5613
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Author Monico, L.; Hendriks, E.; Geldof, M.; Miliani, C.; Janssens, K.; Brunetti, B.G.; Cotte, M.; Vanmeert, F.; Chieli, A.; Van der Snickt, G.; Romani, A.; Melo, M.J.
Title Chemical alteration and colour changes in the Amsterdam sunflowers Type H1 Book chapter
Year 2019 Publication Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages 125-158 T2 - Van Gogh’s Sunflowers illuminated – a
Keywords H1 Book chapter; Art; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation); Antwerp Cultural Heritage Sciences (ARCHES)
Abstract (up) This chapter provides a description of colour changes in the Amsterdam Sunflowers due to chemical alteration of pigments, with a focus on geranium lakes and chrome yellows. The brilliant and forceful colours of these and other late nineteenth-century synthetic materials offered artists such as Vincent van Gogh new means of artistic expression that exploited a range of contrasting hues and tints. However, geranium lakes have a strong tendency to fade and chrome yellows to darken under the influence of light. Van Gogh, like other artists of his day, was aware of this drawback, yet he continued to favour the use of both pigments up until his death in July 1890 due to the unparalleled effects they gave. In April 1888, Vincent wrote to his brother Theo: Van Gogh's use of unstable colours opens a series of questions regarding the extent to which colour change affects the way his paintings look today, as discussed here in relation to the Amsterdam Sunflowers. Furthermore, given the frequency with which geranium lakes and chrome yellows occur in Van Gogh's paintings of the period 1888–90 and the predominance of chrome yellows in Sunflowers, it becomes important to understand the factors that can drive these processes of deterioration in order to develop appropriate strategies for conserving the artist's works.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos Publication Date 2020-11-25
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN 978-94-6372-532-3 Additional Links UA library record
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access
Notes Approved no
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:190779 Serial 7640
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Author Monico, L.; Janssens, K.; Hendriks, E.; Vanmeert, F.; van der Snickt, G.; Cotte, M.; Falkenberg, G.; Brunetti, B.G.; Miliani, C.
Title Evidence for degradation of the chrome yellows in Van Gogh's sunflowers : a study using noninvasive in situ methods and synchrotron-radiation-based x-ray techniques Type A1 Journal article
Year 2015 Publication Angewandte Chemie: international edition in English Abbreviated Journal Angew Chem Int Edit
Volume 54 Issue 47 Pages 13923-13927
Keywords A1 Journal article; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)
Abstract (up) This paper presents firm evidence for the chemical alteration of chrome yellow pigments in Van Gogh's Sunflowers (Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam). Noninvasive in situ spectroscopic analysis at several spots on the painting, combined with synchrotron-radiation-based X-ray investigations of two microsamples, revealed the presence of different types of chrome yellow used by Van Gogh, including the lightfast PbCrO4 and the sulfur-rich PbCr1-xSxO4 (x approximate to 0.5) variety that is known for its high propensity to undergo photoinduced reduction. The products of this degradation process, i.e., Cr-III compounds, were found at the interface between the paint and the varnish. Selected locations of the painting with the highest risk of color modification by chemical deterioration of chrome yellow are identified, thus calling for careful monitoring in the future.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000367722500009 Publication Date 2015-10-20
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1433-7851; 0570-0833 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 11.994 Times cited 24 Open Access
Notes ; We acknowledge financial support from the Italian MIUR project SICH-PRIN (2010329WPF_001) and BELSPO (Brussels) Project S2-ART (SD04A), GOA “SOLARPAINT” (Research Fund Antwerp University, BOF-2015), and FWO (Brussels) projects G.0C12.13, G.0704.08, G.01769.09. We thank ESRF (EC-1051, HG-26) and DESY (I-20120312 EC) for beamtime grants received. Noninvasive analysis of Sunflowers were supported by the EU FP7 programme CHARISMA (Grant 228330) and the Fund Inbev-Baillet Latour (Brussels). L.M. acknowledges financial support from the CNR Short Term Mobility Programme-2013. We thank Muriel Geldof, Luc Megens, Suzan de Groot (The Netherlands Cultural Heritage Agency, RCE), Chiara Grazia, David Buti (CNR-ISTM and SMAArt Centre), and the staff of the Van Gogh Museum for their collaboration. ; Approved Most recent IF: 11.994; 2015 IF: 11.261
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:131110 Serial 5617
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Author Dik, J.; Janssens, K.; van der Snickt, G.; van der Loeff, L.; Rickers, K.; Cotte, M.
Title Visualization of a lost painting by Vincent van Gogh using synchrotron radiation based X-ray fluorescence elemental mapping Type A1 Journal article
Year 2008 Publication Analytical chemistry Abbreviated Journal Anal Chem
Volume 80 Issue 16 Pages 6436-6442
Keywords A1 Journal article; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)
Abstract (up) Vincent van Gogh (1853−1890), one of the founding fathers of modern painting, is best known for his vivid colors, his vibrant painting style, and his short but highly productive career. His productivity is even higher than generally realized, as many of his known paintings cover a previous composition. This is thought to be the case in one-third of his early period paintings. Van Gogh would often reuse the canvas of an abandoned painting and paint a new or modified composition on top. These hidden paintings offer a unique and intimate insight into the genesis of his works. Yet, current museum-based imaging tools are unable to properly visualize many of these hidden images. We present the first-time use of synchrotron radiation based X-ray fluorescence mapping, applied to visualize a womans head hidden under the work Patch of Grass by Van Gogh. We recorded decimeter-scale, X-ray fluorescence intensity maps, reflecting the distribution of specific elements in the paint layers. In doing so we succeeded in visualizing the hidden face with unprecedented detail. In particular, the distribution of Hg and Sb in the red and light tones, respectively, enabled an approximate color reconstruction of the flesh tones. This reconstruction proved to be the missing link for the comparison of the hidden face with Van Goghs known paintings. Our approach literally opens up new vistas in the nondestructive study of hidden paint layers, which applies to the oeuvre of Van Gogh in particular and to old master paintings in general.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000258448100039 Publication Date 2008-07-29
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0003-2700; 5206-882x ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 6.32 Times cited 178 Open Access
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 6.32; 2008 IF: 5.712
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:74466 Serial 5906
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Author Gonzalez, V.; Cotte, M.; Vanmeert, F.; de Nolf, W.; Janssens, K.
Title X-ray diffraction mapping for cultural heritage science : a review of experimental configurations and applications Type A1 Journal article
Year 2019 Publication Chemistry: a European journal Abbreviated Journal Chem-Eur J
Volume 26 Issue 26 Pages 1703-1719
Keywords A1 Journal article; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)
Abstract (up) X-ray diffraction (XRD) mapping consists in the acquisition of XRD patterns at each pixel (or voxel) of an area (or volume). The spatial resolution ranges from the micrometer (mu XRD) to the millimeter (MA-XRD) scale, making the technique relevant for tiny samples up to large objects. Although XRD is primarily used for the identification of different materials in (complex) mixtures, additional information regarding the crystallite size, their orientation, and their in-depth distribution can also be obtained. Through mapping, these different types of information can be located on the studied sample/object. Cultural heritage objects are usually highly heterogeneous, and contain both original and later (degradation, conservation) materials. Their structural characterization is required both to determine ancient manufacturing processes and to evaluate their conservation state. Together with other mapping techniques, XRD mapping is increasingly used for these purposes. Here, the authors review applications as well as the various configurations for XRD mapping (synchrotron/laboratory X-ray source, poly-/monochromatic beam, micro/macro beam, 2D/3D, transmission/reflection mode). On-going hardware and software developments will further establish the technique as a key tool in heritage science.
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Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000501927300001 Publication Date 2019-10-14
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0947-6539 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 5.317 Times cited Open Access
Notes ; M.C. thanks the KNAW for supporting her stays in the Netherlands through the Descartes Huygens price. V.G. and M.C. thank the Center of Research and Restoration of French Museums (C2RMF), Paris and in particular Myriam Eveno, for the collaboration on Rembrandt's impastos (Figure 7). M.C. is indebted to the Afghan government, NRICPT and in particular, Yoko Taniguchi for providing samples shown in Figure 5. K.J. and F.V. acknowledge the University of Antwerp Research Council for financial support via GOA project SolarPaint as well as InterReg project Smart*Light. FWO projects G057419N and G056619N are also acknowledged. The authors also wish to acknowledge the Van Gogh and Kroller-Muller museums, the Rijksmuseum, the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp and the Louvre museum for the constructive and inspiring collaborations in the past decade. Various beam lines and the staff at ESRF and DESY are thanked for providing beam time and support during experiments. ; Approved Most recent IF: 5.317
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:165061 Serial 5911
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