Micro‐Raman spectroscopy analysis of the 17th century panel painting ‘Servilius Appius’ by Isaac van den Blocke

Abstract

Micro‐Raman spectroscopy and optical microscopy under visible and ultraviolet light were applied to characterize the pigments, state of conservation, and painting techniques used in the 17th century panel painting ‘Servilius Appius’, attributed to Isaac van den Blocke. This Golden Age work of art is located at the Gdańsk History Museum. Briefly, individual layers of six samples from different parts of the aforementioned painting were analyzed. A rich palette of white, yellow, red, blue, and black pigments was identified using micro‐Raman spectroscopy. Optical microscopy was also employed to observe and analyze these layers. The obtained results were compared with the art history knowledge of the painting. Consequently, these studies enabled precise characterization of the type of lead tin yellow, the admixture of pigments used in the painting layers, and the type of ground layers, as well as the determination of the pictorial technique used in the process of creating this work of art. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.