Analysis of pigments from Spanish works of art using a portable EDXRF spectrometer

Nowadays there is an intensive program for the conservation, restoration and analysis of the impressive and extensive Spanish cultural heritage. In the last few years, the Unidad de Arqueometria of the ICMUV has carry out a great quantity of in situ EDXRF analysis of pigments on materials of historic and cultural interest (altarpieces, frescoes, canvas, sculptures, etc.) from museums and churches of the whole of the Spanish geography. Here we present a few examples of the analysis of works of art using x-ray fluorescence spectrometry with a portable system based on x-ray tubes and a non-cryogenic Si-PIN detector. EDXRF qualitative and non-destructive analyses of stone, pigments and preparat…