Degradation of Fourteenth-century Mordant Gilding Layers: Synchrotron-based Microfocus XRF, XRD, and XANES Analyses of Two Paintings by Pietro Lorenzetti

Abstract

Analyses of the degraded mordant gilding on two early fourteenth-century paintings by Pietro Lorenzetti were undertaken at the UK synchrotron facility Diamond Light Source. Previous studies revealed a complex orpiment-tinted mordant and its application for adhering two separate layers of silver and gold leaf and demonstrated degradation of the original materials. A new study involving synchrotron radiation (SR) microfocus X-ray fluorescence (µ-XRF) maps on cross-sections of the discolored mordant allowed imaging of the extent of migration of mobile As-Ag-S bearing species and provided ideal positions from which to collect microfocus X-ray absorption near edge structure (µ-XANES) maps of As, Ag, and S for oxidation state analysis. SR µ-XANES indicates that arsenolite (As2O3) is present throughout the mordant suggesting light-induced photooxidation of orpiment. Both As3+ (as oxide) and As5+ have been detected and these are known signs for orpiment degradation. SR microfocus X-ray diffraction (µ-XRD) was used to reveal the nature of altered phases in the mordant layer and identified the presence of acanthite Ag2S, xanthoconite Ag3AsS3, and arsenolite As2O3. The analysis confirmed that the darkening of the mordant is most probably caused by finely dispersed grey-colored Ag + -bearing acanthite particles (Ag2S). The results are discussed in the context of analysis of contemporary paintings and recent studies on the alteration of orpiment.

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