Applications of neutron activation analysis to identification of works of art

摘要

Extensive examinations of works of art by means of traditional methods used by art historians, such as comparisons of their composition, iconography and style, have been enhanced in the 20-th century by comprehensive technological studies with use of complementary physical and chemical methods. Many works of art and artefacts in public collections were removed from their original sites long ago. The identification of their material composition provides fundamental information on the techniques of individual Masters and schools. Such a relationship can be invaluable in the support or in the disputation of authenticity of many objects with uncertain or unknown provenance. Among various methods used for the examination of art objects, instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) is crucial due to its high sensitivity, reproducibility and capability of simultaneous determination of several tens of elements from a sample weight of the order of milligrams. The concentration of trace elements in an object (so-called 'finger print') depends not only on the place where the samples was taken, but also on the technological process used in its production. Systematic studies on works of art using instrumental neutron activation analysis have been carried out in the Institute of Nuclear Chemistry and Technology in collaboration with Academies of Fine Arts in Krakow and Warsaw, as well as with National Museum and Archaeological Museum in Poland. Compositional studies using INAA have been carried out on pottery, glass, and glazes; metal objects formed of gold, silver, iron, tin, lead, bronze, and various alloys; stone and minerals and painting pigments and media. It was possible to accumulate a number of essential data on the concentration of trace elements in these works of art and archaeological artefacts. Using INAA we have achieved a complete investigation of the materials and the techniques of creation, and we have obtained information about the corrections and restorations works. This knowledge is of high importance for further technological and provenance studies of investigated objects.