Colors of Cultural Properties Unraveled by Non-Destructive Analysis

～Color Analysis of Ukiyo-e and Illuminated Manuscripts by X-ray Fluorescence and Raman Spectroscopy～

Abstract

Ukiyo-e prints produced in the Edo period and illuminated manuscripts painted in medieval Europe use a variety of colorful pigments, dyes, and other color materials. This paper introduces the non-destructive and non-contact analysis of these pigments and other color materials by X-ray fluorescence analysis and Raman spectroscopic analysis, including the identification of the color materials used and the findings obtained.