Publication
Title
Macro X-ray fluorescence (MA-XRF) scanning of illuminated manuscript fragments: potentialities and challenges
Author
Abstract
Macro X-ray fluorescence scanning (MA-XRF) is gradually becoming an established technique for the non-invasive analytical investigation of painted surfaces. This paper discusses some of the benefits and limitations of employing MA-XRF for the study of manuscript illuminations. Art historical research on this type of artefacts that is based on scientific measurements is often limited by the fact that usually no sampling can take place. Hence there is a need for non-invasive analytical tools that make it possible to conduct systematic investigations. As a representative example of this type of objects, a 15th century Italian manuscript fragment from the collection of the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge (UK) is investigated. The aims of the study were to gain insight into the materials and techniques employed by Renaissance illuminators and to help answer specific questions regarding the fragment's authorship and geographic origin. The complementarity and advantages of MA-XRF mapping versus site-specific analyses are discussed. For this purpose, MA-XRF data are evaluated and compared with the results of other analytical techniques. The interpretation of the elemental maps is discussed along with the challenges faced during the analysis. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Microchemical journal. - New York
Source (book)
TECHNART Conference, APR 27-30, 2015, Catania, ITALY
Publication
Amsterdam : Elsevier science bv , 2016
ISSN
0026-265X
0026-265X
DOI
10.1016/J.MICROC.2015.10.020
Volume/pages
124 (2016) , p. 785-791
ISI
000367755600096
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Project info
Optimisation of X-ray laminography for non-destructive imaging of the internal structure of historical paintings
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 16.08.2017
Last edited 09.10.2023
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