Raman Spectroscopy for the Study of XVI-XVII Centuries Colonial Paintings

Outstanding information about the material composition and pictorial techniques of the New Spain Colonial painting can be obtained via a full characterization using a set of analytical techniques. Given the cultural importance of this painting, a non-invasive approach is preferred. Moreover, the preparation and use of reference materials using original recipes is necessary for a correct interpretation of the spectroscopic data from historical objects. Here, we present the results obtained via an in-situ Raman spectroscopic analysis of a set of pictorial reference materials, created according to XVI and XVII centuries’ recipes. Several difficulties were encountered, such as the low Raman detection signal, an intrinsic fluorescence of the material, and in some cases even laser-induced degradation. For this reason, the usual molecular Raman analysis was extended to Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS), which enhances the Raman signal and quenches the fluorescence. It was then applied to the analysis of two wood paintings from the ex-convent San Francisco Tepeyanco, in Tlaxcala.