asked to write a research proposal on the Mona Lisa painting. What will you propose to do?

Transcription

1 Homework How can the sfumato effect be analyzed chemically? (You will define the effect first and suggest some chemical method to analyze it. You can refer to the paper sole AC 10.) 2. If you are hired by The Research Laboratory of the Museums of France (LRMF) and asked to write a research proposal on the Mona Lisa painting. What will you propose to do? 3. Do you think that Raman techniques (like what we discussed last week) can do similar analysis as XRF described today? Why? 4. As a museum scientist you are asked to order a powerful XRF for the conservation department of the museum. Which one you recommend? What budget will you request in your proposal? Submit your answer on this ppt file by 10/13/2010 /

2 Homework Modi 3 1. How can the sfumato effect be analyzed chemically? (You will define the effect first and suggest some chemical method to analyze it. You can refer to the paper sole AC 10.) 2. If you are hired by The Research Laboratory of the Museums of France (LRMF) and asked to write a research proposal on the Mona Lisa painting. What will you propose to do? 3. Do you think that Raman techniques (like what we discussed last week) can do similar analysis as XRF described today? Why? 4. As a museum scientist you are asked to order a powerful XRF for the conservation department of the museum. Which one you recommend? What budget will you request in your proposal? Submit your answer on this ppt file by 10/13/2010 /

3 Koral Modi 1. The sfumato effect is a technique used by artists to show gradation from light to dark or dark to light. However, this transition is barely perceptible because the brushstrokes and contours are not visible. The shades are blended in the manner of smoke. One way to chemically analyze this is to use XRF to determine what elements were used in the painting, and use this information to determine what colors were used in each part of the painting and how much of each color was used. This will give artists a good approximation of how to exactly layer colors to achieve a good sfumato effect.

4 2. I would propose to scan the Mona Lisa s neck because I have read rumors morsabout a necklace that was painted on but then later painted over. I would perform a scan and then read his diaries to see why he would paint over the necklace. I would also try to find out why the horizon on the left side is lower than the horizon on the right side. eurl& _ udi=b6txj 48FKD2D 1R&_user=526750&_coverDate=09/30/1992&_rdo c=1&_fmt=high&_orig=search&_origin=search&_s ort=d&_docanchor=&view=c&_searchstrid=14859 docanchor &view c& 22062&_rerunOrigin=google&_acct=C & _ version=1& _ urlversion=0& _ userid=526750&md5 =02d73ab5359fe98bcd9b910e0b0322dc&searchty pe=a

5 3. I think Raman Spectroscopy and XRF analyze basically the same thing: the types, concentrations, ti and distributions of elements present in a certain area. However, the way both processes produce this information is different. In Raman Spectroscopy, the material lis hit with a laser beam and the frequency of the light emitted is recorded and used to figure out what type of element is in the material. With XRF, a sample is not needed, unlike in RamanSpectroscopy. Additionally, XRF records the energy released when electrons are forced out of their energy levels and other electrons from other energy shells move down to fill the gap.

6 4. I would recommend the Axios max Advanced because it is very accurate and precise. It can do full llinvestigations in under one minute and is very sensitive to a variety of different elements. This makesita a perfect toolfor a museum, where there is not a lot of time to do research and analysis, but the analysis must be precise. I would have to request a quote for the machine, but I would estimate the budget to be around $100, 000 because of all the special features.

7 Homework 3 MacKenzie Sizemore

8 1. How can the sfumato effect be analyzed chemically? (You will define the effect first and suggest some chemical method to analyze it. You can refer to the paper sole AC 10.) The sfumato effect is an artistic technique used by Leonardo da Vinci during the Renaissance. Sfumato refers to the careful blending of tones to create a shadowy, smoky appearance. The sfumato effect can be analyzed using X Ray Fluorescent Spectroscopy. Using this technique, the inorganic chemicals in the paints and the thicknesses of the paint layers can be determined. This allows art historians to figure out how Leonardo created his signature sfumato effect.

9 2. If you are hired by The Research Laboratory of the Museums of France (LRMF) and asked to write a research proposal on the Mona Lisa painting. What will you propose to do? I would like to analyze the Mona Lisa using Synchrotron radiation based X ray fluorescence mapping, the same imaging technique used to discover van Gogh s hidden artworks. Being able to look underneath the Mona Lisa to see any preliminary drawings or paintings done by Leonardo could help art historians to better understand this mysterious painting. The imaging technique analyzes materials for composition and thickness, but does not damage the image in any way.

10 3. Do you think that Ramantechniques (like what we discussed last week) can do similar analysis as XRF described today? Why? Yes, I think that Raman techniques can perform similar analyses as XRF techniques. Both imaging techniques allow scientists to determine paint composition, paint thickness, and binding agents. This information allows the paintings to be properly identified, better understood, or prepared for reconstructive work. Raman and XRF techniques result in similar findings through different methods.

11 4. As a museum scientist you are asked to order a powerful XRF for the conservation department of the museum. Which one you recommend? What budget will you request in your proposal? I would recommend the XGT 5000 X Ray Fluorescence Micro Analyzer from Horiba Scientific. The machine is extremely powerful and can detect composition and thickness down to ten micrometers. The machine does not require any sample preparation and can analyze materials directly. Two X ray tubes allow for multiple kinds of scanning. The sample is also mapped out while being scanned to show its composition. The machine would allow the machine to perform many high detail scans while still allowing for variation. I was unable to find a price for the XRF machine.