Reflected and transmitted light microscopy

The distinction between reflected and transmitted visible light relates to the direction from which the light comes. Reflected light is directed from above the surface of the sample, falls onto the sample   and is reflected, while transmitted visible light is illuminated from the bottom of the sample's surface of and essentially passes through the sample.

Samples taken from artworks for analysis using a vertical incision, which contain many layers,   are usually examined using reflected light, while the analysis of fiber,  fabric, paper, and pigment granules is done using transmitted light.

The information resulting from light analysis is referred to in optical microscopy.

  • Sample from the work of Iakovos Rizos, "Athenian Night", under 200X magnification and reflected visible light. There is a rich stratigraphy apparent. At the bottom there are two white ground layers observable, which differ in their degree of transparency and precede the color layers.
  • Microscopic sample of paper substrate from artwork of George Economides. Observed under polarized light. The observation of the morphological characteristics of the fibers allowed for the classification of the compostion, which consists of the Japanese plant kozo and pulpwood. Encasing observed around the fiber is characteristic of the plant kozo.
  • Sample of goldfoil from religious icon. Observation done under reflected visible light. Layers visile are ground layer (0), the layer of the bole, also known as gilder's clay, (No1) and the gold leaf (No.2)

ΓΙΑ ΤΗΝ ΟΜΑΛΗ ΠΕΡΙΗΓΗΣΗ ΣΤΟΝ ΚΟΜΒΟ

ΠΡΟΤΕΙΝΕΤΑΙ Η ΧΡΗΣΗ ΣΥΣΚΕΥΗΣ ΥΨΗΛΟΤΕΡΗΣ ΑΝΑΛΥΣΗΣ