Identification of pigments used on late 17th century Albanian icons by total reflection X-ray fluorescence and Raman microscopy

The pigments identified on four beautiful icons painted by Constantin Ieromonachou during the late 17th century in churches of the medieval city of Voskopoja (Moschopolis) in south-east Albania have been identified. The analysis was carried out to establish whether the same pigments were used on all the icons and whether this information could form a basis for future restorations. Total reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF) and Raman microscopy (RM) were both used to identify the pigments and the combination of techniques minimised the number and amount of samples which needed to be taken from each icon for the analyses. The main pigments identified were white lead, carbon black, indigo, gold, red ochre, red lead, ochre, gypsum, vermilion and a copper-based green.