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Analysis of Artworks by Handheld Spectrofluorimeter (LEDμSF)

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Springer Series on Fluorescence

Part of the book series: Springer Series on Fluorescence

Abstract

The study of organic materials used on fragile artworks (manuscripts, tapestries…) needs fluorimetric studies for their identification. Especially when the sampling is prohibited and when the artworks cannot be brought to the laboratory. However, laboratory systems have a limited analysis chamber making it very difficult to make measurements on artworks. A portable spectrofluorimeter using LED sources (LEDμSF) was therefore designed, patented, and its performances have been proven for the characterization of materials of artworks of Cultural Heritage. The development of the LEDμSF demonstrates to be a good solution to record quickly in situ fluorescence emission spectra and a good complementary method beside hyperspectral imaging.

To facilitate the interpretation of the results, a database including reference fluorescence emission spectra was built. The work was done on a large selection of pigments and dyes deposited on various supports such as quartz slides, parchment, and fibres. The samples were often made according to recipes described in old treatises. The ageing of materials is also considered while taking into account the advantages and limitations of the method.

The efforts of development of this handheld fluorimeter, its applications and the complementarity with other portable spectroscopic techniques are summarized here through some examples of applications on case studies (mediaeval miniatures, Japanese engravings, tapestries, and Siberian clothes).

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Here are only presented the emission and excitation spectra of the cochineal and brazilwood as an illustrative example since they present an intense fluorescence but the same study was carried out on all the pigments, lakes, and dyes.

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Acknowledgements

This project has received support from the Aquitaine Region and the French State managed by the National Research Agency under the programme Future Investments bearing the reference ANR-10-LabX-52. This study received financial support from the French government in the framework of the University of Bordeaux’s IdEx “Investments for the Future” programme/GPR “Human Past”.

The patent and the realization of the LEDμSF were helped by the support of Aquitaine Science Transfert, an Aquitaine Acceleration Technology Transfer Company, Erma Electronique & Freiberg Instruments. Thanks to the teams of the museums whose welcome us many times (Zaragoza Museum, Bordeaux Ethnographic museum, International City of Tapestry in Aubusson) and to the cultural institutions (DRAC).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Archéosciences Bordeaux. Matériaux, Temps, Images, Sociétés (UMR 6034 CNRS/University Bordeaux Montaigne/University of Bordeaux), Maison de l’Archéologie, Esplanade des Antilles, Pessac, France

    Aurélie Mounier, Floréal Daniel & Hortense De La Codre

  2. ISM (UMR 5255 CNRS/Université de Bordeaux): Institut des Sciences Moléculaires, Talence, France

    Sylvain Lazare, Hortense De La Codre, Christian Aupetit & Gwénaëlle Le Bourdon

Authors
  1. Aurélie Mounier
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  2. Sylvain Lazare
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  4. Hortense De La Codre
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  6. Gwénaëlle Le Bourdon
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Correspondence to Aurélie Mounier .

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Mounier, A., Lazare, S., Daniel, F., De La Codre, H., Aupetit, C., Le Bourdon, G. (2022). Analysis of Artworks by Handheld Spectrofluorimeter (LEDμSF). In: Springer Series on Fluorescence. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/4243_2022_42

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/4243_2022_42

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