X-ray fluorescence analysis - X-ray fluorescence analysis

Japanese: 蛍光X線分析 - けいこうえっくすせんぶんせき/けいこうXせんぶんせき

A technique used to analyze pigments and materials in paintings and cultural properties. In 2004, the Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties analyzed pigments in the "Red and White Plum Blossoms Screen" (national treasure, owned by the MOA Museum of Art), a work by Edo period artist Ogata Korin. As a result, it was discovered that the gold background of the painting on the screen was not expressed using gold leaf as had been the conventional theory, but was painted exactly like gold leaf, which attracted attention. It was also pointed out that the flowing water in the center, which had been thought to be silver leaf, was likely made using organic dyes rather than metallic pigments. When X-rays are irradiated onto artworks or murals, the metallic elements in the materials generate unique secondary X-rays (fluorescent X-rays). By applying this principle, it is possible to identify the type and amount of elements in the materials without touching them. Furthermore, by combining it with image analysis using a high-definition digital camera, more detailed analysis is possible. These technologies have produced many results, such as making it possible to restore the halo and patterns in the "Buddha in Nirvana" painting (a national treasure housed at Kongobuji Temple), which was painted in the Heian period, that had faded and become invisible to the naked eye.

(Eiji Yamamori, Asahi Shimbun reporter / 2007)

Source : "Chiezo" published by Asahi Shimbun Publications Co., Ltd. About Chiezo

Japanese:

絵画や文化財などの顔料や資料の分析に用いられる技術。江戸時代の絵師、尾形光琳作「紅白梅図屏風」(国宝、MOA美術館所蔵)を東京文化財研究所が2004年に顔料分析した。その結果、屏風絵の金地部分が、定説となっていた金箔による表現ではなく、金箔そっくりに描かれていた可能性が浮上し注目された。銀箔とされていた中央の流水の部分も、金属の顔料ではなく、有機染料が使われていた可能性が高いことも指摘された。X線を美術品や壁画などに照射すると、資料の金属元素が固有の2次的X線(蛍光X線)を発生させる。その原理を応用して、資料に触れることなく、資料中の元素の種類や量を特定できる。さらに高精細デジタルカメラによる画像分析と組み合わせることで、より詳細な分析が可能となった。これらの技術によって、平安時代に描かれた「仏涅槃図(ぶつねはんず)」(国宝、金剛峰寺〈こんごうぶじ〉所蔵)の、退色し肉眼では見えなくなった円光や文様の復元が可能になるなど、多くの成果が上がっている。

(山盛英司朝日新聞記者／ 2007年)

出典　(株)朝日新聞出版発行「知恵蔵」知恵蔵について　情報

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