Non-destructive characterization of fifty various species of pigments of archaeological and artistic interest by using the portable X-ray diffraction system of the LANDIS laboratory of Catania (Italy)

Abstract In recent years a portable XRD system with high angular resolution and rapid measurement time was realized at the LANDIS laboratory of the LNS-INFN and IBAM-CNR of Catania (Italy) for application in the cultural heritage field. The system was previously used for the characterization of some pigments present in ancient frescoes. The main task of this work is to show the possibility of using the above portable diffractometer in the identification of a large variety of pigments commonly used to realize archaeological and artistic masterpieces. 50 reference standards of pigments with a known mineralogical composition were prepared and measured; analytical results evidenced both the advantages and the limitations of using such a system in the analysis of different typologies of pigments and allowed to realize a raw database to be used during the characterization of real samples.