A multi-analytical study of the Belarusian icon “Virgin Eleusa” (XVII cent.)

• Published in: Journal of cultural heritage 2017-11, Vol.28, p.158-163
• Main Authors: Shabunya-Klyachkovskaya, Elena V., Kulakovich, Olga S., Mitskevich, Anagelika G., Moiseev, Yuri F., Kiris, Vasilis V., Matsukovich, Anna S., Karoza, Anatolii G., Sysoeva, Liubou L., Belkov, Mikhail V.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Art materials study; Inorganic pigments; Layer-by-layer LIBS; Micro-FTIR; Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth; SERS; Virgin Eleusa
• ISSN: 1296-2074; 1778-3674
• DOI: 10.1016/j.culher.2017.02.016

•Technique and materials of the original painting as well as the dates of its restorations have been recovered with the help of ultrasensitive techniques.•A little concentration of cerulean and cadmium yellow in the upper paint layers were identified by SERS. This information played the crucial role for dating of some restoration intervention. Here the results are reported on the multi-analytical study of the Belarusian icon “Virgin Eleusa” (XVII cent.). The X-ray and luminescence studies revealed some interventions performed in different time periods. The materials of original painting as well as the materials of interventions were successfully characterized by spectroscopic techniques. Layer-by-layer Laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) was used for elemental composition study of art materials. Fourier-transform infrared microspectroscopy (micro-FTIR) was used to indicate the types of binding media in the grounds and paint layers as well as to identify the art pigments. A low concentration of cerulean and cadmium yellow in the upper paint layers (interventions) were identified by Surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). Since cerulean and cadmium yellow are known to come into use in XIX cent., the SERS results played the crucial role for dating of some intervention.