ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT: Energy-dispersive x-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) analysis is particularly suited to analyse paintings, because of its non destructivemanner andmulti-elemental capacity. Interestingly, it can be conducted with portable equipment. The mean penetration of incident and secondary radiation has the same order of magnitude as the pigments thickness;
EDXRF-analysis of paintings generally provides the following informations:
– possible presence of elements on the surface due to pollution (sulphur, chlorine); – identification of the elements and pigments, used by the artist; – identification of previous restored areas, detected by the presence of “modern” elements; – such as titanium, zinc, cadmium, selenium, etc; – identification of fraudolent submissions.
