TY - JOUR A1 - Steger, Simon A1 - Stege, H. A1 - Bretz, S. A1 - Hahn, Oliver T1 - Capabilities and limitations of handheld Diffuse Reflectance Infrared Fourier Transform Spectroscopy (DRIFTS) for the analysis of colourants and binders in 20th-century reverse paintings on glass JF - Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy N2 - A non-invasivemethod has been carried out to show the capabilities and limitations of Diffuse Reflectance Infrared Fourier Transform Spectroscopy (DRIFTS) for identifying of colourants and binders in modern reverse glass paintings. For this purpose, the reverse glass paintings “Zwei Frauen am Tisch” (1920–22), “Bäume” (1946) (both by Heinrich Campendonk), “Lofoten” (1933) (Edith Campendonk-van Leckwyck) and “Ohne Titel” (1954) (Marianne Uhlenhuth), were measured. In contrast to other techniques (e.g. panel and mural painting), the paint layers are applied in reverse succession. In multi-layered paint systems, the front paint layer may no longer be accessible. The work points out the different spectral appearance of a given substance (gypsum, basic lead white) in reverse glass paintings. However, inverted bands, band overlapping and derivative-shaped spectral features can be interpreted by comparing the spectra fromthe paintingswith spectra frompure powders and pigment/linseed oil mock-ups. Moreover, the work focuses on this method's capabilities in identifying synthetic organic pigments (SOP). Reference spectra of three common SOP (PG7, PY1, PR83) were obtained from powders and historical colour charts.We identified PR83 and PY1 in two reverse glass paintings, using the measured reference spectra. The recorded DRIFTS spectra of pure linseed oil, gum Arabic, mastic, polyvinyl acetate resin and bees wax can be used to classify the binding media of the measured paintings. KW - DRIFTS KW - Painting KW - Non-invasive KW - Pigment PY - 2018 DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.saa.2018.01.057 SN - 1873-3557 VL - 195 SP - 103 EP - 112 PB - Elsevier B.V. AN - OPUS4-44023 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - THES A1 - Steger, Simon T1 - Non-invasive spectroscopic investigation of cultural artefacts: shedding light on modern reverse glass paintings N2 - This thesis addresses the development of a methodological approach for the non-invasive identification of colourants and for the classification of binding media in reverse glass paintings from the early 20th century. For this purpose, mobile and miniaturized devices were used to measure the paintings in situ. The methodology includes X-ray fluorescence (XRF), VIS spectroscopy (VIS), Raman spectroscopy and diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS). In a first step the capabilities of DRIFTS for binding media classification and pigment identification were tested. DRIFTS enables, besides Raman spectroscopy, the collection of molecular information of a substance that can be used as characteristic fingerprint spectrum. However, the simultaneous collection of both specular (surface) and diffuse (volume) reflection leads to complicated mixed DRIFT spectra, that can vary strongly for one substance depending on the dominant fraction of reflected light. Specular reflection causes several spectral distortions like inverted bands, band shifts and derivative-like features whereas pure diffuse reflections leads to an intensity enhancement of combination bands and overtones. Both specular and diffuse reflection cannot be optically separated, and their proportion depends on material properties like the absorption coefficient and the refractive index as well as on Parameters like surface roughness, porosity, grain size and angle of incidence and detection. A direct comparison of DRIFT spectra with IR spectra of other methods (e.g. transmission, ATR) is not possible, hence the creation of DRIFTS databases was needed. The next step was the complimentary utilization of Raman spectroscopy and DRIFTS for the dentification of synthetic organic colourants. Such colourants are in the further chapters called synthetic organic pigments (SOP) even when it’s not always entirely clear if they are soluble dyes or pigments that are practically insoluble in the medium in which they are incorporated. Raman spectroscopy is generally the method of choice when dealing with SOP, but fluorescence can hamper the Raman spectrum severely, inhibiting the proper identification of the pigment. DRIFTS was successfully applied and several SOP like synthetic alizarin (PR83), the yellow azo pigments (e.g. PY1) or the red and orange β-naphthol pigments (e.g. PR3) could be identified in the paintings solely by means of DRIFTS. The holistic methodological sequence was defined after the successful establishment of DRIFTS as serious analytical alternative. As the time is always the most limiting factor for in situ measurement campaigns in museums, the 9 sequence needs to be time saving but also efficient. The methodology starts with quick measurements by XRF and VIS to get a first idea of the pigment composition, followed by the validation of the results with the vibrational spectroscopies for selected points. Measurements of reverse glass paintings by Carlo Mense and Wassily Kandinsky were conducted to test the entire procedure. A high number of pigments could be identified, including several rare ones like strontium white (SrSO4), PR60 and PB52. The binding media were classified using the previously recorded references. The results were set in the art historian context and were discussed in a multidisciplinary way. The influence of Asian art, especially of Chinese reverse glass paintings as source of inspiration for artists of the “Blauer Reiter” collective (e.g. Wassily Kandinsky, Gabriele Münter, Franz Marc und Heinrich Campendonk) is shown. Non-invasive measurements of two Chinese reverse glass paintings from the late 19th and early 20th century were conducted, enabling a comparison of the palettes of Chinese and European painters. The Chinese palette includes heavy use of red lead and orpiment, pigments that were hardly sed in Europe anymore. More modern pigments like zinc white, cadmium yellow, viridian, chromates, cobalt blues or SOP were not found at all in the Chinese paintings. KW - Reverse glass painting KW - Raman spectroscopy KW - DRIFTS KW - Non invasive analysis PY - 2020 SP - 12 EP - 104 CY - Hamburg AN - OPUS4-51160 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Steger, Simon T1 - Spectroscopic analysis of colourants and binders of Chinese reverse glass paintings tracing a cultural dialogue N2 - Scientific analysis based on spectroscopic methods provide essential information on the composition of colourants and binders in paintings. These results can be set in a historical context and help to confirm art historical interpretations. Proofs of certain pigments can be used for dating purposes and may reveal if the artist used not only local but also imported materials. A pilot study of two Chinese reverse glass paintings from the late 19th (Yingying and Hongniang) and early 20th centuries (The Archer) was performed using a multi-analytical approach including X-ray fluorescence (XRF), diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) and Raman spectroscopy. This approach allowed the identification of the pigments and the classification of the binding media. The results reveal a combined use of traditional Chinese and imported European materials. Several pigments like cinnabar, lead white, orpiment, carbon black and copper-arsenic green (probably emerald green) were found in both paintings; red lead, artificial ultramarine blue, Prussian blue and ochre appear in at least one of the paintings. The proof of limewash (calcite and small amounts of portlandite) as a backing layer in “Yingying and Hongniang” indicates that clamshell white was also used for reverse glass paintings. Drying oil was classified as a binding media in most areas of both paintings. However, the orange background of The Archer yielded prominent bands of both proteinaceous and fatty binder. T2 - China and the West Reconsidering Chinese Reverse Glass Painting CY - Romont, Switzerland DA - 14.02.2020 KW - Reverse glass painting KW - DRIFTS KW - Raman spectroscopy PY - 2020 AN - OPUS4-50445 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Steger, Simon A1 - Oesterle, D. A1 - Bretz, S. A1 - Frenzel, L. A1 - Stege, H. A1 - Winkelmeyer, I. A1 - Hahn, Oliver A1 - Geiger, G. T1 - Kandinsky’s fragile art: a multidisciplinary investigation of four early reverse glass paintings (1911–1914) by Wassily Kandinsky JF - Heritage Science N2 - This work highlights the rediscovery of the technique of reverse glass painting by the artists of the “Blaue Reiter” collective in the early 20th-century and focusses particularly on the role of Wassily Kandinsky (1866–1944). Kandinsky created more than 70 reverse paintings on glass and showed several of them in exhibitions together with paintings on canvas and cardboard, implying a coequal importance of these techniques. Four of his early (1911–1914) reverse glass paintings (Auferstehung, Allerheiligen II, Rudern, Apokalyptischer Reiter II) were selected for investigation and their iconography, painting techniques and painting materials were examined. Two paintings were executed on so-called cathedral glass, revealing a “hammered surface”, whereas Kandinsky used a corrugated glass panel for Rudern. A multi-analytical, non-invasive approach [X-ray fluorescence (XRF), diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS), VIS spectroscopy (VIS), Raman spectroscopy] was taken to identify the pigments and classify the binding media. The results reveal a broad palette of materials. Several pigments like lead white, zinc white, Strontium yellow, Prussian blue, viridian, cadmium yellow, ultramarine blue, cinnabar and carbon black were found in most of the four paintings. The use of the rare synthetic organic pigments PR60 and PB52 is discussed. In two works of art, cadmium carbonate is associated with cadmium yellow. The identification of aluminium foil along with tin foils in Rudern indicates an early use of this material for reverse glass paintings. KW - Reverse glass painting KW - Non-invasive analysis KW - Raman spectroscopy KW - DRIFTS PY - 2019 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-480075 DO - https://doi.org/10.1186/s40494-019-0268-8 VL - 7 IS - 27 SP - 1 EP - 17 PB - Springer AN - OPUS4-48007 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Steger, Simon A1 - Stege, H. A1 - Bretz, S. A1 - Hahn, Oliver T1 - A complementary spectroscopic approach for the non-invasive in-situ identification of synthetic organic pigments in modern reverse paintings on glass (1913–1946) JF - Journal of Cultural Heritage N2 - This work addresses the identification of synthetic organic pigments (SOP) in eight modern reverse paintings on glass (1913–1946) by means of an in-situ multi-analytical approach. We combined the complementary properties of mobile Raman spectroscopy and diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) to overcome the main disadvantages of each method: extensive band overlapping in DRIFT spectra and fluorescence problems in Raman spectra. A collection of DRIFTS reference spectra enables a precise pigment identification by DRIFTS and establishes this method as a serious non-destructive alternative for the identification of SOP. The group of β-naphthol pigments yielded valuable results for both methods, whereas synthetic alizarin (PR83) was preferentially detected by DRIFTS. Finally, uncommon triaryl carbonium pigments and two azo group-based yellows were identified in the paintings by means of Raman spectroscopy. KW - Synthetic organic pigments KW - DRIFTS KW - Raman spectroscopy KW - Reverse glass painting PY - 2019 DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.culher.2019.01.011 SN - 1296-2074 SN - 1778-3674 VL - 38 SP - 20 EP - 28 PB - Elsevier Masson SAS. AN - OPUS4-48008 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Steger, Simon A1 - Stege, H A1 - Bretz, S. A1 - Hahn, Oliver T1 - A complementary spectroscopic approach for the non invasive in situ identification of synthetic organic pigments in modern reverse paintings on glass N2 - This work addresses the identification of synthetic organic pigments (SOP) in ten modern reverse paintings on glass (1912-1946) by means of an in-situ multi-analytical approach. The combination of the complimentary properties of mobile Raman spectroscopy and diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) enabled the detection of sixteen SOP even in complex mixtures with inorganic compounds and binders. For the β-naphthol pigments, both Raman and DRIFTS yield appropriate results. DRIFTS was the preferred method for the detection of synthetic alizarin (PR83). Its diagnostic band pattern even allows its detection in complex mixtures with mineral pigments, binders and fillers. Raman spectroscopy yielded distinctive spectra for the triaryl carbonium pigments (PG1, PV2, PR81) and the two-yellow azo SOP (PY3, PY12), whereas DRIFT spectra were affected by extensive band overlapping. This may also occur in Raman spectra, but in less problematic amounts. Fluorescence is the major problem with Raman and it significantly hampers the SOP spectra even with the 785 nm laser. On the one hand the big spot size of DRIFTS (10 mm) limits the technique to rather large sampling areas, whereas the use of a 50× objective for in-situ Raman measurements permits a focus on small spots and aggregated SOP flakes. Moreover, “environmental” factors like temperature changes, artificial light, limited space and vibrations when people pass by need to be considered for in-situ measurements in museums. Finally, the results show the experimental use of SOP in modern reverse glass paintings. Among several rare SOP (e.g. PB52, PR81), two of them (PG1, PV2) have never been reported before in any artwork. T2 - Technart2019 CY - Bruges, Belgium DA - 07.05.2019 KW - Synthetic organic pigments KW - Reverse glass painting KW - DRIFTS KW - Raman spectroscopy PY - 2019 AN - OPUS4-48009 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Steger, Simon A1 - Oesterle, D. A1 - Mayer, R. A1 - Hahn, Oliver A1 - Bretz, S. A1 - Geiger, G. T1 - First insights into Chinese reverse glass paintings gained by non-invasive spectroscopic analysis-tracing a cultural dialogue JF - Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences N2 - This work presents a technical investigation of two Chinese reverse glass paintings from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. A multi-analytical, non-invasive approach (X-ray fluorescence (XRF), diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS), Raman spectroscopy) was used to identify the pigments and classify the binding media. The results reveal a combined use of traditional Chinese and imported European materials. Several pigments like cinnabar, lead white, orpiment, carbon black and copper-arsenic green (probably emerald green) were found in both paintings; red lead, artificial ultramarine blue, Prussian blue and ochre appear in at least one of the paintings. The proof of limewash (calcite and small amounts of portlandite) as a backing layer in Yingying and Hongniang indicates that clamshell white was also used for reverse glass paintings. Drying oil was classified as a binding media in most areas of both paintings. However, the orange background of The Archer yielded prominent bands of both proteinaceous and fatty binder. KW - Non-invasive analysis KW - Reverse glass painting KW - Pigment identification KW - DRIFTS KW - Raman spectroscopy PY - 2019 DO - https://doi.org/10.1007/s12520-019-00799-3 SN - 1866-9557 SN - 1866-9565 VL - 11 IS - 8 SP - 4025 EP - 4034 PB - Springer AN - OPUS4-47364 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Steger, Simon A1 - Bretz, Simone A1 - Stege, Heike A1 - Hahn, Oliver T1 - Methodological approach for in situ spectroscopic analysis of modern reverse paintings on glass: A case study of Kreuzabnahme (1914/15) - an outstanding example by Carlo Mense JF - The European Physical Journal Plus N2 - A non-invasive methodological approach has been carried out to identify the pigments and classify the binding media of the reverse painting on glass Kreuzabnahme (1914/15) by Carlo Mense. Mense was a member of the group Rhenish Expressionists around August Macke and got interested in the technique of painting on the reverse side of a glass panel. The studied painting indicates a remarkably painted reverse and front side, which creates a unique visual appearance of the glass. The applied noninvasive, spectroscopic approach includes X-ray fluorescence, VIS spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy. The measurements revealed inorganic Pigments mixed with drying oil as binder. Together with common pigments, such as lead white, barium sulphate, bone black, cinnabar, chrome yellow, ochre, and viridian, an unusual additional material was found, Strontium white. KW - Reverse glass painting KW - Non-invasive analysis KW - DRIFTS KW - Pigment identification PY - 2019 DO - https://doi.org/10.1140/epjp/i2019-12549-6 SN - 2190-5444 VL - 134 IS - 2 SP - 64, 1 EP - 8 PB - Springer CY - Berlin AN - OPUS4-47365 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Steger, Simon A1 - Stege, Heike A1 - Hahn, Oliver T1 - In-situ spectroscopic analysis of modern reverse paintings on glass (1905-1955) N2 - The technique of painting on the reverse side of a glass panel was rediscovered by German artists at the beginning of the 20th century. In contrast to other paint techniques (e.g. panel and mural painting), the paint layers are applied in reverse succession starting with the foremost paint layer and ending with the primer (backmost layer). The paintings are viewed in reflected light, thus revealing an impressive gloss, luminosity and depth of colour. The artist group “Der Blaue Reiter” (the Blue Rider) around W. Kandinsky and F. Marc got in touch with this technique in the summers of 1908 and 1909 and spread their knowledge in different regions. Our pioneering project is tracing this transfer of knowledge by a multidisciplinary approach in terms of art history, painting technology and material science. More than 100 artists and >1000 reverse paintings on glass (1905-1955) were identified during the project. This numbers clearly point out that this technique was by far more important for modern art than previously assumed. In-situ, non-invasive measurements (XRF, Raman, VIS, DRIFTS) on a well-considered selection of 67 paintings reveal the broad palette of colorants ranging from traditional to experimental materials. Special attention is paid on artists who are strongly connected to Berlin. Demonstrative examples by W. Dexel, G. Muche and L. Hildebrandt are used to discuss analytical challenges and highlights. T2 - Young Researchers in Archaeometry (YRA) 2nd Workshop CY - Berlin, Germany DA - 23.09.2018 KW - Raman spectroscopy KW - DRIFTS KW - Reverse glass painting PY - 2018 AN - OPUS4-46066 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER -