Microscopical examination of art and archeological objects

Walter McCrone

doi:10.1117/12.308584

25 May 1998 Microscopical examination of art and archeological objects

Walter McCrone

Proceedings Volume 3315, Scientific Detection of Fakery in Art; (1998) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.308584
Event: Photonics West '98 Electronic Imaging, 1998, San Jose, CA, United States

Abstract

The light microscope, using only photons rather than electrons as an imaging medium, is demonstrably the single most useful tool for the authentication of art and archeological objects. It is the only technique able to identify all paint media, pigments, and supports. With the identity of these components and their known dates of first use, the microscope establishes the earliest possible date for that object. Microscopy reveals the molecular identity rather than the elemental content of each of the components. Elemental analysis, by any other means, would not differentiate between many pigments that have similar compositions, e.g., iron earths (Fe₂O₃(DOT)nH₂O), red lead (Pb₃O₄), and massicot (PbO) or litharge (PbO), chromium oxide (Cr₂O₃) and viridian (Cr₂O₃(DOT)2H₂O), alizarin and madder (both 1,2-dihydroxy anthraquinone), three forms of calcite (CaCO₃), three forms of vermilion (HgS), etc. X-ray diffraction can identify only crystalline compounds and is useless for alizarin, madder, prussian blue, cobalt blue, smalt, carbon black, charcoal, van dyke brown and iron earths other than hematite. Infrared absorption requires highly skilled analysts and can't readily detect zinc white, massicot, or litharge or other diatomic molecules.

Citation Download Citation

Walter McCrone "Microscopical examination of art and archeological objects", Proc. SPIE 3315, Scientific Detection of Fakery in Art, (25 May 1998); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.308584

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