Imaging study of Raffaello's “La Muta” by a portable XRF spectrometer

Beyond identification of the painting palette, the XRF study further allowed for structural analysis in cases where single spot XRF measurements would not be adequate. For example, the new system allowed us to deduce Raffaello's use of bone black pigment and to analyze various instances of “pentimenti” (underlying image in a painting, evidence of revision by the artist).