Qualitative analysis of pigments and binders in paint colors used in ‘Gvozden’ by Mića Popović

Abstract

The identification of pigments and binders in the samples of painting colors used during the creation of the painting ''Gvozden'' by a Serbian painter Mića Popović is presented in this work. The purpose of the research was the identification of basic components of painting colors in order to perform more efficient restoration of damaged paintings. In order to identify binders, FTIR spectroscopic analysis was performed; meanwhile, SEM-EDS method was used for the determination of pigments. Binding materials (identified using FTIR) based on easily dried plant oils were used during the creation of ''Gvozden'' and the preparation of painting colors. On the other hand, the most abundant pigments in the samples of painting colors (zinc and cadmium sulfides, barium sulfate, titanium and chromium oxide, mixed oxide of cobalt and aluminum, and calcium carbonate) were shown as results of SEM-EDS analysis.