| About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
MS&T24: Materials Science & Technology
|
| Symposium
|
Scientific Methods in Art, Archeology, and Art Conservation Science
|
| Presentation Title |
Synthetic Basic Copper Chloride Pigments in Korean Buddhist Painting |
| Author(s) |
Christina Bisulca, Joseph Leach |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Christina Bisulca |
| Abstract Scope |
Synthetic basic copper chloride pigments are known in Asia as early as the 4th century and are most often found in Buddhist art. The basic copper chlorides exist as three isomers: atacamite, paratacamite and botallackite. Synthetic references were prepared and it was found that these forms can be distinguished noninvasively with vis-NIR fiber optics reflectance spectroscopy in the 1700-2500 nm range. Using this technique, the Detroit Institute of Arts undertook a noninvasive technical study to characterize these synthetic green pigments in Chosŏn Dynasty Korean Buddhist temple banners. In the paintings analyzed this synthetic pigment was found to be used selectively in paintings, often associated with specific compositional elements. The pigment itself consists of both atacamite and botallackite, and the proportion of these two isomers varies by painting suggesting differences in manufacture. This corroborates historic evidence that schools of Buddhist monks may have been synthesizing these pigments locally. |