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

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

Viena

Conferencia; International Conference on Isotopic and Nuclear Analytical Techniques for Health and Environment; 2003

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

This work describes the useof X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry to study colonial Jesuitical artfrom the XVII century. A series of wooden painted carving wasanalysed at CEPROCOR using a portable energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometer. These pieces belong to the Jesuit missionsplaced in the centre or Argentina recently categorized as culturalheritage of the humanity. It was performed a process ofauthentication of high significance for the South America culturalheritage. Pink and blue pigments of the smalt were studied becausethese colours are unexpected in colonial Jesuit art. The binder ofenamel taking from the pieces where it was allowed to scrape wasstudied by IR spectroscopy. It was also studied the thin gold layerusually used in Jesuitical art to cover the wooden religious objects.