Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry
Volume/Issue:
Volume 105: Issue 3
Minerals associated with artists’ paintings and archaeological iron objects
Authors:
M. Odlyha Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Department of Biological Sciences Birkbeck, University of London, Malet Street, London WC1E 7HX, UK

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D. Thickett English Heritage, Rangers House, Chesterfield Walk, London SE10 8QX, UK

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L. Sheldon Paintings Analysis, History of Art, University College London, 20-21 Gordon Square, London WC1H OAG, UK

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Pages:
875–881
Online Publication Date:
05 Jun 2011
Publication Date:
01 Sep 2011
Article Category:
Research Article
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10973-011-1636-0
Keywords:
Mineral-based pigments; Paintings; Paint dosimeters; Archaeological iron
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Abstract

This article provides a short review of mineral-based pigments used in paintings with examples drawn from technical studies of selected historic paintings. Pigments such as azurite, natural ultramarine, orpiment, and clay earth pigments have been identified. Some examples will also be given of particular case studies which describe the alteration of selected pigments and consequences of these interactions. The second theme shows how use has been made of such interactions in evaluating the effects of environmental impact on paintings and reference is made to previous studies and the application of paint films as dosimeters. Accelerated ageing and site exposure studies are reported, and results provide information on pigment binder interactions. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and thermogravimetric analysis (TG) have been used to characterise the behaviour of pigments in binding media and to assist in characterising samples from wall paintings. Reference is also made to the occurrence of iron-oxide based minerals present as corrosion products in archaeological iron objects. Examples are given of objects from two archaeological sites in England, the Anglo-Saxon burial site Sutton Hoo in Suffolk, and the burial site in Wetwang, East Yorkshire. It will be shown that post excavation changes occur in the objects and this information is used to inform preventive conservation of these objects, in storage and in display.

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Cover Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry
Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry
Print ISSN:
1388-6150
Online ISSN:
1572-8943

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Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry
Language English
Size A4
Year of
Foundation		 1969
Volumes
per Year		 1
Issues
per Year		 24
Founder Akadémiai Kiadó
Founder's
Address		 H-1117 Budapest, Hungary 1516 Budapest, PO Box 245.
Publisher Akadémiai Kiadó
Springer Nature Switzerland AG
Publisher's
Address		 H-1117 Budapest, Hungary 1516 Budapest, PO Box 245.
CH-6330 Cham, Switzerland Gewerbestrasse 11.
Responsible
Publisher		 Chief Executive Officer, Akadémiai Kiadó
ISSN 1388-6150 (Print)
ISSN 1588-2926 (Online)

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