Characterization of organic binders in a 13th century painted wooden panel: Comparison of ToF-SIMS and Dot-ELISA results

Abstract In this study we explored the capacity of a mass spectrometry technique, ToF-SIMS, coupled with an immunological method, Dot-ELISA, to characterize the organic binders used in a 13th century painted wooden panel. The panel, which was in a poor state of conservation with only some residual painting left, was a useful bench specimen for these techniques. ToF-SIMS and Dot-ELISA results both indicated the presence of a mixture of rabbit glue and casein and rule out the use of egg in the painted layer of the samples. The results of this study show the capability of the combined use of the two methods to univocally identify protein-based binders in paintings.