An XRF Study on the Pigments in Wood Carving of Jesuit Missions of Argentina

GERMANIER A.; PÉREZ R. D.; BADINI R.; RAVERA M.; PIANA J.; PEIRETTI A. M.; AVILA A.; RUBIO M.

Radiation Physics for Preservetaion of the Cultural Heritage. Edited by J. E. Fernández, G. Maino and A. Tartari

Cooperativa Libraria Universitaria Editrice Bologna-CLUEB

Lugar: Bologna (Italia); Año: 2005; p. 143 - 147

 This work describes the use of x-ray fluorescence spectrometry to study colonial Jesuitical art from the XVII century. A series of wooden painted carving was analyzed at CEPROCOR using a portable energy dispersive x-ray fluorescence spectrometer. These pieces belong to the Jesuit Missions placed in the centre of Argentina recently categorized as cultural heritage of the humanity. It is being performed a course of action of authentication of high significance for the Argentinian cultural heritage. Pink and blue pigments of the smalt were studied because these colours are unexpected in colonial Jesuit art. The binder of enamel taking from the pieces where it was allowed to scrape was studied by IR spectroscopy. It was also studied the thin gold layer usually used in Jesuitical art to cover the wooden religious objects.