Pigment identification – SEM-EDX, XRF & Raman microscopy

This virtual seminar (the last in a series* of 4 virtual seminars on the History and Identification of Pigments to be offered in October) introduces three of the main instrumental non-destructive techniques routinely used to identify pigments on works of art – scanning electron microscopy energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), X-ray fluorescence and Raman microscopy.  The processes, applications and limitations for each method will be described, with case studies used to illustrate each method. Such instrumental methods are often used in combination with visual and polarised light microscopy.

*This series of seminars is intended to appeal to all conservators and others who would like to refresh their knowledge on the subject and also to students of conservation.

Tracey Chaplin is an Independent Scientific Consultant specialising in analysis and identification of artists’ materials and their degradation products on objects such as paintings, sculpture, furniture, manuscripts, wallpaper, textiles and architectural elements. This includes the application of microscopy, cross-sectional analysis, spectroscopies, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis, X-ray fluorescence and gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Tracey lectures in conservation science at the City and Guilds of London Art School, has published extensively and is one of four authors of The Pigment Compendium.