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Author van der Snickt, G.; Janssens, K.; Dik, J.; de Nolf, W.; Vanmeert, F.; Jaroszewicz, J.; Cotte, M.; Falkenberg, G.; Van der Loeff, L.
Title Combined use of synchrotron radiation based micro-X-ray fluorescence, micro-X-ray diffraction, micro-X-ray absorption near-edge, and micro-fourier transform infrared spectroscopies for revealing an alternative degradation pathway of the pigment cadmium yellow in a painting by Van Gogh Type A1 Journal article
Year 2012 Publication Analytical chemistry Abbreviated Journal Anal Chem
Volume 84 Issue 23 Pages 10221-10228
Keywords A1 Journal article; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)
Abstract Over the past years a number of studies have described the instability of the pigment cadmium yellow (CdS). In a previous paper we have shown how cadmium sulfide on paintings by James Ensor oxidizes to CdSO4 center dot H2O. The degradation process gives rise to the fading of the bright yellow color and the formation of disfiguring white crystals that are present on the paint surface in approximately 50 mu m sized globular agglomerations. Here, we study cadmium yellow in the painting “Flowers in a blue vase” by Vincent van Gogh. This painting differs from the Ensor case in the fact that (a) a varnish was superimposed onto the degraded paint surface and (b) the CdS paint area is entirely covered with an opaque crust. The latter obscures the yellow color completely and thus presents a seemingly more advanced state of degradation. Analysis of a cross-sectioned and a crushed sample by combining scanning microscopic X-ray diffraction (mu-XRD), microscopic X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy (mu-XANES), microscopic X-ray fluorescence (mu-XRF) based chemical state mapping and scanning microscopic Fourier transform infrared (mu-FT-IR) spectrometry allowed unravelling the complex alteration pathway. Although no crystalline CdSO4 compounds were identified on the Van Gogh paint samples, we conclude that the observed degradation was initially caused by oxidation of the original CdS pigment, similar as for the previous Ensor case. However, due to the presence of an overlying varnish containing lead-based driers and oxalate ions, secondary reactions took place. In particular, it appears that upon the photoinduced oxidation of its sulfidic counterion, the Cd2+ ions reprecipitated at the paint/varnish interface after having formed a complex with oxalate ions that themselves are considered to be degradation products of the resin and/or oil in the varnish. The SO42- anions, for their part, found a suitable reaction partner in Pb2+ ions stemming from a dissolved lead-based siccative that was added to the varnish to promote its drying. The resulting opaque anglesite compound in the varnish, in combination with the underlying CdC2O4 layer at the paint/varnish interface, account for the orange-gray crust that is disfiguring the painting on a macroscopic level. In this way, the results presented in this paper demonstrate how, through a judicious combined use of several microanalytical methods with speciation capabilities, many new insights can be obtained from two minute, but highly complex and heterogeneous paint samples.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000311815300013 Publication Date 2012-08-30
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 (up) 59 Open Access
Notes ; This research was supported by BELSPO via the Interuniversity Attraction Poles Programme (IUAP VI/16) and the S2-ART project (SD/RI/04A) and funded by Grants from the ESRF (EC-442) and PETRA-III (I-20120312 EC). The text also presents results of GOA “XANES meets ELNES” (Research Fund University of Antwerp, Belgium) and from FWO (Brussels, Belgium) project nos. G.0103.04, G.0689.06, and G.0704.08. The staff of the Kroller-Muller Museum and painting conservators Margje Leeuwestein and Esther Van Duijn are acknowledged for this pleasant cooperation and the authorization for the publication of the images in this article. ; Approved Most recent IF: 6.32; 2012 IF: 5.695
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:105971 Serial 5526
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Author Cotte, M.; Susini, J.; Dik, J.; Janssens, K.
Title Synchrotron-based X-ray absorption spectroscopy for art conservation: looking back and looking forward Type A1 Journal article
Year 2010 Publication Accounts of chemical research Abbreviated Journal Accounts Chem Res
Volume 43 Issue 6 Pages 705-714
Keywords A1 Journal article; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)
Abstract A variety of analytical techniques augmented by the use of synchrotron radiation (SR), such as X-ray fluorescence (SR-XRF) and X-ray diffraction (SR-XRD), are now readily available, and they differ little, conceptually, from their common laboratory counterparts. Because of numerous advantages afforded by SR-based techniques over benchtop versions, however, SR methods have become popular with archaeologists, art historians, curators, and other researchers in the field of cultural heritage (CH). Although the CH community now commonly uses both SR-XRF and SR-XRD, the use of synchrotron-based X-ray absorption spectroscopy (SR-XAS) techniques remains marginal, mostly because CH specialists rarely interact with SR physicists. In this Account, we examine the basic principles and capabilities of XAS techniques in art preservation. XAS techniques offer a combination of features particularly well-suited for the chemical analysis of works of art. The methods are noninvasive, have low detection limits, afford high lateral resolution, and provide exceptional chemical sensitivity. These characteristics are highly desirable for the chemical characterization of precious, heterogeneous, and complex materials. In particular, the chemical mapping capability, with high spatial resolution that provides information about local composition and chemical states, even for trace elements, is a unique asset. The chemistry involved in both the objects history (that is, during fabrication) and future (that is, during preservation and restoration treatments) can be addressed by XAS. On the one hand, many studies seek to explain optical effects occurring in historical glasses or ceramics by probing the molecular environment of relevant chromophores. Hence, XAS can provide insight into craft skills that were mastered years, decades, or centuries ago but were lost over the course of time. On the other hand, XAS can also be used to characterize unwanted reactions, which are then considered alteration phenomena and can dramatically alter the objects original visual properties. In such cases, the bulk elemental composition is usually unchanged. Hence, monitoring oxidation state (or, more generally, other chemical modifications) can be of great importance. Recent applications of XAS in art conservation are reviewed and new trends are discussed, highlighting the value (and future possibilities) of XAS, which remains, given its potential, underutilized in the CH community.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000278842500003 Publication Date 2010-01-08
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0001-4842 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 20.268 Times cited (up) 74 Open Access
Notes ; ; Approved Most recent IF: 20.268; 2010 IF: 21.852
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:83982 Serial 5861
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Author Janssens, K.; Dik, J.; Cotte, M.; Susini, J.
Title Photon-based techniques for nondestructive subsurface analysis of painted cultural heritage artifacts Type A1 Journal article
Year 2010 Publication Accounts of chemical research Abbreviated Journal Accounts Chem Res
Volume 43 Issue 6 Pages 814-825
Keywords A1 Journal article; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)
Abstract Often, just micrometers below a paintings surface lies a wealth of information, both with Old Masters such as Peter Paul Rubens and Rembrandt van Rijn and with more recent artists of great renown such as Vincent Van Gogh and James Ensor. Subsurface layers may include underdrawing, underpainting, and alterations, and in a growing number of cases conservators have discovered abandoned compositions on paintings, illustrating artists practice of reusing a canvas or panel. The standard methods for studying the inner structure of cultural heritage (CH) artifacts are infrared reflectography and X-ray radiography, techniques that are optionally complemented with the microscopic analysis of cross-sectioned samples. These methods have limitations, but recently, a number of fundamentally new approaches for fully imaging the buildup of hidden paint layers and other complex three-dimensional (3D) substructures have been put into practice. In this Account, we discuss these developments and their recent practical application with CH artifacts. We begin with a tabular summary of 14 IR- and X-ray-based imaging methods and then continue with a discussion of each technique, illustrating CH applications with specific case studies. X-ray-based tomographic and laminographic techniques can be used to generate 3D renditions of artifacts of varying dimensions. These methods are proving invaluable for exploring inner structures, identifying the conservation state, and postulating the original manufacturing technology of metallic and other sculptures. In the analysis of paint layers, terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) can highlight interfaces between layers in a stratigraphic buildup, whereas macrosopic scanning X-ray fluorescence (MA-XRF) has been employed to measure the distribution of pigments within these layers. This combination of innovative methods provides topographic and color information about the micrometer depth scale, allowing us to look into paintings in an entirely new manner. Over the past five years, several new variants of traditional IR- and X-ray-based imaging methods have been implemented by conservators and museums, and the first reports have begun to emerge in the primary research literature. Applying these state-of-the-art techniques in a complementary fashion affords a more comprehensive view of paintings and other artworks.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000278842500013 Publication Date 2010-05-12
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0001-4842 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 20.268 Times cited (up) 78 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 FWO (Brussels, Belgium) projects nr. G.0704.08 and G.0179.09 and from the UA-BOF GOA programme. ; Approved Most recent IF: 20.268; 2010 IF: 21.852
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:83983 Serial 5772
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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 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).
Address
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 (up) 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 Monico, L.; van der Snickt, G.; Janssens, K.; de Nolf, W.; Miliani, C.; Dik, J.; Radepont, M.; Hendriks, E.; Geldof, M.; Cotte, M.
Title Degradation process of lead chromate in paintings by Vincent van Gogh studied by means of synchrotron X-ray spectromicroscopy and related methods : 2 : original paint layer samples Type A1 Journal article
Year 2011 Publication Analytical chemistry Abbreviated Journal Anal Chem
Volume 83 Issue 4 Pages 1224-1231
Keywords A1 Journal article; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)
Abstract The darkening of the original yellow areas painted with the chrome yellow pigment (PbCrO4, PbCrO4·xPbSO4, or PbCrO4·xPbO) is a phenomenon widely observed on several paintings by Vincent van Gogh, such as the famous different versions of Sunflowers. During our previous investigations on artificially aged model samples of lead chromate, we established for the first time that darkening of chrome yellow is caused by reduction of PbCrO4 to Cr2O3·2H2O (viridian green), likely accompanied by the presence of another Cr(III) compound, such as either Cr2(SO4)3·H2O or (CH3CO2)7Cr3(OH)2 [chromium(III) acetate hydroxide]. In the second part of this work, in order to demonstrate that this reduction phenomenon effectively takes place in real paintings, we study original paint samples from two paintings of V. van Gogh. As with the model samples, in view of the thin superficial alteration layers that are present, high lateral resolution spectroscopic methods that make use of synchrotron radiation (SR), such as microscopic X-ray absorption near edge (μ-XANES) and X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (μ-XRF) were employed. Additionally, μ-Raman and mid-FTIR analyses were carried out to completely characterize the samples. On both paint microsamples, the local presence of reduced Cr was demonstrated by means of μ-XANES point measurements. The presence of Cr(III) was revealed in specific areas, in some cases correlated to the presence of Ba(sulfate) and/or to that of aluminum silicate compounds.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000287176900012 Publication Date 2011-02-14
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 (up) 84 Open Access
Notes ; This research was funded by grants from ESRF (experiment EC-504) and by HASYLAB (experiments 11-20080130 EC and 11-20070157 EC) and 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) project nos. G.0103.04, G.0689.06, and G.0704.08. The staff of the Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam, is acknowledged for their agreeable cooperation and for the authorization to publish the images of the paintings in this article. L.M. was financially supported by the Erasmus Placement in the framework of Lifelong Learning Programme (A.Y. 2009-2010). The EU Community's FP7 Research Infrastructures program under the CHARISMA Project (Grant Agreement 228330) is also acknowledged. ; Approved Most recent IF: 6.32; 2011 IF: 5.856
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:88795 Serial 5571
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Author van der Snickt, G.; Dik, J.; Cotte, M.; Janssens, K.; Jaroszewicz, J.; de Nolf, W.; Groenewegen, J.; van der Loeff, L.
Title Characterization of a degraded cadmium yellow (CdS) pigment in an oil painting by means of synchrotron radiation based X-ray techniques Type A1 Journal article
Year 2009 Publication Analytical chemistry Abbreviated Journal Anal Chem
Volume 81 Issue 7 Pages 2600-2610
Keywords A1 Journal article; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)
Abstract On several paintings of James Ensor (1860−1949), a gradual fading of originally bright yellow areas, painted with the pigment cadmium yellow (CdS), is observed. Additionally, in some areas exposed to light, the formation of small white-colored globules on top of the original paint surface is observed. In this paper the chemical transformation leading to the color change and to the formation of the globules is elucidated. Microscopic X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy (ì-XANES) experiments show that sulfur, originally present in sulfidic form (S2−), is oxidized during the transformation to the sulfate form (S6+). Upon formation (at or immediately below the surface), the highly soluble cadmium sulfate is assumed to be transported to the surface in solution and reprecipitates there, forming the whitish globules. The presence of cadmium sulfate (CdSO4·2H2O) and ammonium cadmium sulfate [(NH4)2Cd(SO4)2] at the surface is confirmed by microscopic X-ray diffraction measurements, where the latter salt is suspected to result from a secondary reaction of cadmium sulfate with ammonia. Measurements performed on cross sections reveal that the oxidation front has penetrated into the yellow paint down to ca. 1−2 ìm. The morphology and elemental distribution of the paint and degradation product were examined by means of scanning electron microscopy equipped with an energy-dispersive spectrometer (SEM-EDS) and synchrotron radiation based micro-X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (SR ì-XRF). In addition, ultraviolet-induced visible fluorescence photography (UIVFP) revealed itself to be a straightforward technique for documenting the occurrence of this specific kind of degradation on a macroscale by painting conservators.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000264759400025 Publication Date 2009-03-11
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 (up) 91 Open Access
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 6.32; 2009 IF: 5.214
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:76415 Serial 5501
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Author Monico, L.; van der Snickt, G.; Janssens, K.; de Nolf, W.; Miliani, C.; Verbeeck, J.; Tian, H.; Tan, H.; Dik, J.; Radepont, M.; Cotte, M.
Title Degradation process of lead chromate in paintings by Vincent van Gogh studied by means of synchrotron X-ray spectromicroscopy and related methods : 1 : artificially aged model samples Type A1 Journal article
Year 2011 Publication Analytical chemistry Abbreviated Journal Anal Chem
Volume 83 Issue 4 Pages 1214-1223
Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)
Abstract On several paintings by artists of the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th Century a darkening of the original yellow areas, painted with the chrome yellow pigment (PbCrO4, PbCrO4·xPbSO4, or PbCrO4·xPbO) is observed. The most famous of these are the various Sunflowers paintings Vincent van Gogh made during his career. In the first part of this work, we attempt to elucidate the degradation process of chrome yellow by studying artificially aged model samples. In view of the very thin (1−3 μm) alteration layers that are formed, high lateral resolution spectroscopic methods such as microscopic X-ray absorption near edge (μ-XANES), X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (μ-XRF), and electron energy loss spectrometry (EELS) were employed. Some of these use synchrotron radiation (SR). Additionally, microscopic SR X-ray diffraction (SR μ-XRD), μ-Raman, and mid-FTIR spectroscopy were employed to completely characterize the samples. The formation of Cr(III) compounds at the surface of the chrome yellow paint layers is particularly observed in one aged model sample taken from a historic paint tube (ca. 1914). About two-thirds of the chromium that is present at the surface has reduced from the hexavalent to the trivalent state. The EELS and μ-XANES spectra are consistent with the presence of Cr2O3·2H2O (viridian). Moreover, as demonstrated by μ-XANES, the presence of another Cr(III) compound, such as either Cr2(SO4)3·H2O or (CH3CO2)7Cr3(OH)2 [chromium(III) acetate hydroxide], is likely.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Washington, D.C. Editor
Language Wos 000287176900011 Publication Date 2011-02-14
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 (up) 113 Open Access
Notes Iuap; Fwo Approved Most recent IF: 6.32; 2011 IF: 5.856
Call Number UA @ lucian @ c:irua:88794UA @ admin @ c:irua:88794 Serial 632
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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 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.
Address
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 (up) 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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