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In situ investigation of Chinese export watercolours in the nineteenth century

Journal Contribution - Journal Article

Subtitle:pigments and dyes
Chinese export watercolours were produced for the export market in the southeastern part of China during the late eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. These hand-painted images were produced in large numbers with a variety of water-based opaque colours on paper. Pigment analysis was carried out on 37 painted areas of selected works from a private collection using a range of techniques, including micro-X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (mu XRF), FTIR and Raman spectroscopy. These analytical results provide the first in-depth measurements of the painting materials by the techniques on these export artworks. Several pigments were identified conclusively by the analyses-barium white, lead white, Prussian blue, ultramarine, emerald green, Hooker's Green, gamboge and red lead. Results also suggest that violet tint, purple and red dyes might be present.
Journal: Journal of the institute of conservation
ISSN: 1945-5224
Volume: 41
Pages: 218 - 234
Publication year:2018
Keywords:A1 Journal article
BOF-keylabel:yes
Accessibility:Closed