Uso da técnica de EDXRF e microCT na análise de uma imagem de N. Sra. da Imaculada Conceição

Abstract

Over time, the preservation and restoration of historic heritage is increasingly in evidence. The study of historical pieces refers to the history of a place or country, since it brings with it information about traditions and knowledge of the culture of a specific people. These studies in question, most of the times present a high interdisciplinarity, in search of the characterization of a piece, since science and history are together in this case. Through the characterization of historical artifacts it is possible in many cases to measure in which period the artifact was conceived, to identify the techniques used by the artist, to provide data for a possible restoration process, in addition to assisting in the identification of possible forgery in valuable works. In this work, two non-destructive characterization techniques were used: X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and X ray microtomography (microCT), in order to characterize a sacred work, which represents the figure of “Nossa Senhora da Imaculada Conceição”. 30 points were selected and determined to perform as X-ray fluorescence measurements on the piece, to identify the pigments used. It was possible to identify overlapping layers of paint, the presence of gold in some ornaments, and the identification of the use of pigments no longer used today, such as vermilion, which has ceased to be used by artists since the 19th century. The images generated by microCT were used in the analysis of the entire structural part of the piece, its correction points, techniques used by the artist, it was also possible to observe the empty areas present in the piece. The results obtained through the alternative methodology are highly efficient, highlighting the achievement of the techniques mentioned in the characterization of historical artifacts.