Brenda Doherty

Noninvasive Testing of Art and Cultural Heritage by Mobile NMR

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) has many applications in science, medicine, and technology. Conventional instrumentation is large and expensive, however, because superconducting magnets offer maximum sensitivity. Yet NMR devices can also be small and inexpensive if permanent magnets are used, and samples need not be placed within the magnet but can be examined externally in the stray magnetic field. Mobile stray-field NMR is a method of growing interest for nondestructive testing of a diverse range of materials and processes. A well-known stray-field sensor is the commercially available NMR-MOUSE, which is small and can readily be carried to an object to be studied. In this Account, we describe mobile stray-field NMR, with particular attention to its use in analyzing objects of cultural heritage. The most common data recorded are relaxation measurements of (1)H because the proton is the most sensitive NMR nucleus, and relaxation can be measured despite the inhomogeneous magnetic field that typically accompanies a simple magnet design. Through NMR relaxation, the state of matter can be analyzed locally, and the signal amplitude gives the proton density. A variety of stray-field sensors have been designed. Small devices weighing less than a kilogram have a shallow penetration depth of just a few millimeters and a resolution of a few micrometers. Access to greater depths requires larger sensors that may weigh 30 kg or more. The use of these sensors is illustrated by selected examples, including examinations of (i) the stratigraphy of master paintings, (ii) binder aging, (iii) the deterioration of paper, (iv) wood density in master violins, (v) the moisture content and moisture profiles in walls covered with paintings and mosaics, and (vi) the evolution of stone conservation treatments. The NMR data provide unique information to the conservator on the state of the object--including past conservation measures. The use of mobile NMR remains relatively new, expanding from field testing of materials such as roads, bridge decks, soil, and the contents of drilled wells to these more recent studies of objects of cultural heritage. As a young field, noninvasive testing of artworks with stray-field NMR thus offers many opportunities for research innovation and further development.

On the use of overtone and combination bands for the analysis of the CaSO4-H2O system by mid-infrared reflection spectroscopy.

With the aim of characterizing ground preparations of paintings by infrared reflection spectroscopy, the CaSO4–H2O system (gypsum/bassanite/anhydrite) has been re-investigated, evaluating and assigning the SO42- and OH overtone and combination bands, respectively, in the ranges 1900–2700 cm−1 and 5000–6000 cm−1 resulting from reflection and high concentration transmission spectra. The second-order modes have been proven to be highly specific, reliable, and less affected by overlap with bands of organic binders and can hence be exploited for the identification of the sulfate hydration phase using infrared (IR) reflection spectroscopy. Subsequently, the characterization and identification of hydration phases in unknown sulfate-based ground preparations on authentic artworks have been carried out noninvasively by fiber-optic reflection IR spectroscopy and on cross-sections by infrared reflection micro-spectroscopy. The spectroscopic data collected both on standards and artworks have been cross-validated by X-ray diffraction.

Unilateral NMR, 13C CPMAS NMR spectroscopy and micro-analytical techniques for studying the materials and state of conservation of an ancient Egyptian wooden sarcophagus

A multi-technique approach was employed to study a decorated Egyptian wooden sarcophagus (XXV–XXVI dynasty, Third Intermediate Period), belonging to the Museo del Vicino Oriente of the Sapienza University of Rome. Portable non-invasive unilateral NMR was applied to evaluate the conservation state of the sarcophagus. Moreover, using unilateral NMR, a non-invasive analytical protocol was established to detect the presence of organic substances on the surface and/or embedded in the wooden matrix. This protocol allowed for an educated sampling campaign aimed at further investigating the state of degradation of the wood and the presence of organic substances by 13C cross polarization magic angle spinning (CPMAS) NMR spectroscopy. The composition of the painted layer was analysed by optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy–energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM–EDS), Raman and surface enhanced (resonance) Raman spectroscopy (SERS/SERRS), infrared and GC–MS techniques, evidencing original components such as clay minerals, Egyptian green, indigo, natural gums, and also highlighting restoration pigments and alteration compounds. The identification of the wood, of great value for the reconstruction of the history of the artwork, was achieved by means of optical microscopy.

In situ non-invasive investigation on the painting techniques of early Meissen Stoneware.

In situ, non-invasive investigations by means of portable X-ray fluorescence and fibre optic reflectance mid-infrared (mid-FTIR) spectroscopy of painted Böttger Stoneware objects have been carried out through the MOLAB transnational access to the Porcelain Collection of the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen in Dresden. It has been possible to gather information regarding the composition of the black glaze by applying a principal component analysis to the elemental analysis to distinguish between the variations of lead, iron and manganese compositions of each glaze. It has been furthermore feasible to combine molecular spectroscopy for characterization of the constituent painting materials, namely lead white as cerusite and hydrocerusite, the use of cinnabar, azurite and Prussian blue leading to a better knowledge of the state of conservation and utility of certain pigments that may give rise to chronology of the decorative artwork. The identification of oxalates namely whedellite and moolooite are assigned as degradation products relative to the decorative areas.

The Book of Kells: a non-invasive MOLAB investigation by complementary spectroscopic techniques.

This paper highlights the efficacy of non-invasive portable spectroscopy for assessing the execution technique and constituent materials in one of the most important medieval manuscripts, the Book of Kells. An aimed campaign of in situ measurements by the MObile LABoratory (MOLAB) has analyzed its elemental composition and vibrational and electronic molecular properties. The ample analytical toolbox has afforded complementary diagnostic information of the pigment palette permitting the characterization of both inorganic and organic materials as pigments and dyes in the white, purple, blue, red, orange, green and black areas. In particular, the novel widespread use of calcinated gypsum (anhydrite) as both a white pigment and in correlation to the organic dyes in this manuscript has been noted. The non-invasive identification of the organic dye orchil is significant considering its rare non invasive detection in medieval manuscripts. Finally the occurrence of particular alterations of the organic black areas giving rise to calcium carboxylate and calcium oxalate has been specifically highlighted. Importantly, this work elaborates complex aspects of the employed painting materials which have given rise to numerous significant points of interest for a more elaborate understanding of this Irish treasure.

Non-invasive and micro-destructive investigation of the Domus Aurea wall painting decorations

The paper reports on the exploitation of an educated multi-technique analytical approach based on a wide non invasive step followed by a focused micro-destructive step, aimed at the minimally invasive identification of the pigments decorating the ceiling of the Gilded Vault of the Domus Aurea in Rome. The combination of elemental analysis with molecular characterization provided by X-ray fluorescence and UV–vis spectroscopies, respectively, allowed for the in situ non-invasive identification of a remarkable number of pigments, namely Egyptian blue, green earth, cinnabar, red ochre and an anthraquinonic lake. The study was completed with the Raman analysis of two bulk samples, in particular, SERS measurements allowed for the speciation of the anthraquinonic pigment. Elemental mapping by scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectrometer combined with micro-fluorimetry on cross-section gave an insight into both the distribution of different blend of pigments and on the nature of the inorganic support of the red dye.

A vibrational spectroscopic and principal component analysis of triarylmethane dyes by comparative laboratory and portable instrumentation.

This contribution examines the utility of vibrational spectroscopy by bench and portable Raman/surface enhanced Raman and infrared methods for the investigation of ten early triarlymethane dye powder references and dye solutions applied on paper. The complementary information afforded by the techniques is shown to play a key role in the identification of specific spectral marker ranges to distiguish early synthetic dyes of art-historical interest through the elaboration of an in-house database of modern organic dyes. Chemometric analysis has permitted a separation of data by the discrimination of di-phenyl-naphthalenes and triphenylmethanes (di-amino and tri-amino derivatives). This work serves as a prelude to the validation of a non-invasive working method for in situ characterization of these synthetic dyes through a careful comparison of respective strengths and limitations of each portable technique.

An uncovered XIII century icon: Particular use of organic pigments and gilding techniques highlighted by analytical methods

The restoration of a panel painting depicting a Madonna and Child listed as an unknown Tuscan artist of the nineteenth century, permitted the hidden original version, a XIII century Medieval icon to be uncovered. It is discovery provided the opportunity for an extensive in situ campaign of non-invasive analytical investigations by portable imaging and spectroscopic techniques (infrared, X-ray fluorescence and diffraction, UV-Vis absorption and emission), followed by aimed micro-destructive investigations (Raman and SEM-EDS). This approach permitted characterization of the original ground and paint layers by complementary techniques. Furthermore, this protocol allowed supplementary particularities of great interest to be highlighted. Namely, numerous original gilding techniques have been accentuated in diverse areas and include the use of surrogate gold (disulphur tin), orpiment as a further false gold and an area with an original silver rich layer. Moreover, pigments including azurite mixed with indigo have been non-invasively identified. Micro-invasive analyses also allowed the diagnosis of organic colorants, namely, an animal anthraquinone lake, kermes and an unusual vegetal chalcone pigment, possibly safflower. The identification of the latter is extremely rare as a painting pigment and has been identified using an innovative adaption to surface enhanced Raman techniques on a cross-section. The resulting data contributes new hypotheses to the historic and artistic knowledge of materials and techniques utilized in XIII century icon paintings and ultimately provides scientific technical support of the recent restoration.

Chromatographic and spectroscopic identification and recognition of ammoniacal cochineal dyes and pigments

In this work a combined chromatographic and spectroscopic approach is used to provide a diagnostic assessment of semi-synthetic ammoniacal cochineal through the syntheses of its dyes and lakes according to art historical recipes. Commercially introduced in the late XIX century as a dye and pigment, it was used to obtain a brilliant purplish/violet nuance which provided a more stable option over carminic acid although its evidenced use in manufacts and artworks of heritage importance have been scarcely documented. Through HPLC-DAD, it has been possible to identify 4-aminocarminic acid as the main component of ammoniacal cochineal highlighting a chemical formula analogous to acid stable carmine, a recent patented food dye. FTIR clearly distinguishes the amine group in the ammoniacal cochineal dye preparation and TLC-SERS allows for an adequate separation and spectral differentiation in its main components to be evidenced. Colloidal SERS has permitted spectral markers useful in discerning ammoniacal cochineal over carminic acid to be highlighted and discussed. Finally, the methods experimented in this study for the identification of ammoniacal cochineal have been validated on analyzing a sample of dyed wool.

A non-invasive NMR relaxometric characterization of the cyclododecane-solvent system inside porous substrates.

With the aim of deepening the knowledge on the behavior of cyclododecane (CDD) as a temporary consolidant agent for weathered stones, NMR longitudinal and transverse relaxation decays have been exploited to follow the distribution of cyclododecane solutions into porous matrices. By measuring as function of time the relaxation decay constants of CDD solutions dropped onto porous supports, it has been possible to differentiate the step encompassing the solvent evaporation, which determines the consolidant migration within the matrix, from that governing the consolidant sublimation, which is related to the consolidation effectiveness over time. Copyright