Effect of tempera paint composition on their superficial physical properties-application of interferometric profilometry and hyperspectral imaging techniques

Interferometric profilometry and hyperspectral imaging techniques combined with traditional analytical techniques such as spectrophotometry, stereomicroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, particle size analysis, and thermogravimetry were used to characterize tempera paint mock-ups. These paint mock-ups were prepared as binary mixtures made by mixing either egg yolk or rabbit glue binders with one of ten pigments traditionally used by mediaeval artists, namely lime, calcium sulfate, white lead, minium, hematite, cinnabar, azurite, lapis lazuli, blue smalt and malachite. We evaluated the effects of mineralogical composition, pigment particle size and morphology, as well as the type and concentration of the binder on the physical properties of the paints surface. Results showed that all the above compositional aspects had a direct influence on the paints color, reflectance, and roughness. Moreover, mineral impurities and neoformed minerals due to pigment-binder interaction during paint preparation had a crucial effect on the superficial physical properties of paints. The analytical results proved the usefulness of interferometric profilometry and hyperspectral imaging techniques for the characterization of paint surfaces. The gained information will help conservation specialists in the evaluation of the impact of conservation treatments on the paint surface and the assessment of surface damage caused by weathering processes.