Non-destructive analysis of paintings using Fourier transform Raman spectroscopy with fibre optics

In recent decades, Raman spectroscopy has attracted increasing attention in the field of art investigation. Inorganic and organic pigments and also binding media and varnishes can be identified in various objects of art. Instead of sampling the artefacts, Raman spectroscopy, being a non-destructive method, can be used for the direct analysis of small artefacts and gemstones. Larger artefacts, such as paintings, are not so easily examined without sampling. Therefore, the possibilities of fibre optics Fourier transform (FT) Raman analysis of paintings were explored in this work. The pigments in several paintings could be identified, even though most of these were covered with a varnish layer. The laser beam was focused through the varnish and the Raman signal of the pigments was detected. Results are presented for the fibre optics FT-Raman investigation of paintings by Lucebert, Degas, de Chirico and Magritte. Copyright (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.