| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1231711 | Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy | 2012 | 8 Pages |
The palette of four Persian manuscripts of the 16th and 17th centuries were established by Raman microscopy to include lazurite, red lead, vermilion, orpiment, a carbon-based black, lead white, malachite, haematite, indigo, carmine and pararealgar. The first five pigments were identified on all four manuscripts, as previously found for other Islamic manuscripts of this period. The findings were compared with information available in treatises on Persian painting techniques. Red lead, although identified on all of the manuscripts analysed in this study as the main red pigment, is seldom mentioned in the literature. Two unusual pigments were also identified: the intermediate phase between realgar and pararealgar in the manuscript Timur namah, and carmine in the manuscript Shah namah. Although the established palette comprises few pigments, it was found that the illuminations were enhanced by the use of pigment mixtures, the components of which could be identified by Raman microscopy.
Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► 16–17th c. Persian manuscripts and their colour palette. ► Raman microscopy as a tool to determine the pigments. ► Several pigment mixtures to obtain different hues, rather than many pigments. ► Intermediate phase between pararealgar and realgar identified. ► Comparison with treatises on Persian painting techniques.
