Characterization of materials used in the execution of historic oil paintings by XRD, SEM-EDS, TGA and LIBS analysis

In this study, material characteristics of historic oil paintings in a 19th century church in Ayvalık/Turkey were investigated to propose the treatments to be used in their conservation and protection. For this purpose, physical, chemical and mineralogical compositions and the microstructure of the paintings were determined by X-ray Diffraction, Scanning Electron Microscope, Thermo Gravimetric Analyzer, Differential Scanning Calorimeter, Infrared Spectroscopy and Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy. Analysis results showed that the paintings were composed of very thin binding and white priming layers on which the pigments were applied. Binding layers were composed of polymerized vegetable oil with Zinc Oxide. Priming layers were composed of anglesite mineral in polymerized vegetable oil. Pigments used in paintings were mainly green earth, red chrome and iron oxide.