Neutrons and art

Following modern trends in art objects connoisseurship, through examination of the structure of art objects supports traditional studies conducted by art historians based on composition, iconographic and stylistic comparisons. It must be emphasized that complete technological examinations are carried out by means of comprehensive physical and chemical studies. Among various methods used for the examination of art objects, methods which apply neutrons such as instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA), prompt gamma activation analysis (PGAA) and neutron-induced autoradiography are crucial due to their high sensitivity, reproducibility and capability of simultaneous determination of several tens of elements. Systematic studies on art objects using instrumental neutron activation analysis and neutron autoradiography have been carried out in the institute of Nuclear Chemistry and Technology. It was possible to accumulate a number of essential data on the concentration of trace elements particularly in chalk grounds and pigments (such as lead white, lead-tin yellow, smalt), Chinese porcelain, Thai ceramics, silver denarius, jewellery made of copper alloys, as well as in the clay fillings of Egyptian mummies. The above mentioned examination of art objects prior to their conservation helps to determine precisely the materials used in the process of creating art objects, as well as to identify the appropriate place of origin of particular materials. (author)