FOURIER-TRANSFORM INFRARED-SPECTROSCOPY AND THE ANALYTICAL STUDY OF WORKS-OF-ART FOR PURPOSES OF DIAGNOSIS AND CONSERVATION

This paper is a study of the analytical capacity of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) for any type of samples from works of ar t. The analytical information obtained with this technique on organic and inorganic compounds is extremely useful in the preliminary studies necessary for diagnosis and to decide on the conservation process. Th is paper reports the analysis and study with FT-IR on samples extracte d from the microlayers in several works of art from different periods (16th to 18th century) comprising wall paintings and canvas. The most outstanding of these being the frescoes by A. Palomino from two ceilin gs in the Santos Juanes church. The analytical procedures for the diff erent components of the works studied such as (a) varnish applied to w ood panels and canvas paintings, (b) binding media and pigments used b y the artists, (c) inerts, mortars, stuccos and grounds have been opti mized. The FT-IR technique offers a quick analysis of microsamples (le ss than 0.5 mg) and is able to characterise the different molecular gr oups which provide information on the nature of the different material s of organic and inorganic origin used by the artist and thus permits the diagnosis of pathologies requiring conservation treatment.