An applied complementary use of macro X-ray fluorescence scanning and multi-light reflectance imaging to study Medieval Illuminated Manuscripts. The Rijmbijbel of Jacob van Maerlant

The colorful images in medieval manuscripts have striking characteristics that need meticulous approaches during art technical research in situ, as no sampling is permitted. Visual inspections and images with the microscope can reveal details about techniques and layers of the miniature. In this experimental research we applied two complementary techniques to reveal the pigments the artists used to create the folios of a famous Flemish illuminated manuscript, the Rijmbijbel of Jacob van Maerlant (13th century, Bruges). This essay emphasizes on the combined possibilities and advantages of two different approaches. It focuses on exploring the same illuminations with MA-XRF analyses in a lab environment and the multi-light reflectance technique (MLR) of the Multi-Spectral Microdome (MS MicroD) in situ. Through comparing and combining MA-XRF analysis with the MS MicroD datasets reference data, the ink and paint layer compositions could be characterized. The essay illustrates the capabilities of both techniques to obtain new insights in the material composition of the paint of a well-described and examined artefact. The genuine 13th century materials and the 19th century retouching could be visualized, differentiated and determined. Finally, the added value of the combination of the two examination methods is evaluated for art technical research on illuminated manuscripts.