Optical microscopy

Optical microscopy is a technique that uses a system of lenses and a source of visible or ultraviolet light to observe and record the characteristics of the form or identity of small samples taken from properly prepared works of art.
An optical microscope has a magnification level of up to 1000x -1200CH.
Modern optical microscopes connect to cameras, and allow for the simultaneous observation of the live image on a computer screen,  

Optical microscopy of particle samples, such as granules of pigments, paper fibers, wood flakes, may lead to their identification and offer further information about the method of their production (manual or industrial).  
The observation of samples in small, multi-layered form gives detailed information and a detailed picture of the exact sequence of the different layers (stratigraphic structure), thus revealing the technique of the artist. Information about the number, thickness, purity and density of the color layers is also revealed.  

It is also possible to record what damage is present (discontinuity of varnish layers, cracking, losses, lifting) and to identify and record & nbsp; later procedures, such as over-paintings, fastening materials, and new varnish. 

  • Observation of a properly prepared sample for the Optical Microscope with reflected polarized light.
  • Sample of painting (CAT NO. 512), magnification 200 x. The existence of very large pigment grains is observable. The large grain size shows that the pigments were produced manually. Microcracks cause the vertical gap displayed.
  • Fiberous support fabric from a painting. The characteristic shapes in the form of X observed on the fibers show that it is either linen or canvas
  • Microscopic image of a tangential cut of wooden suport (200X Zoom) of the image "Virgin with two angels" (CAT NO: P43). The use of a single layer ray, with height of 30 cells, in conjunction with the known place of origin of the image allowed for the identification of the forest species of wood Abies alba Mill (White Fir).
  • Sample of painted sculpture by Frosso Michaleas, 200x zoom. Observation under polarized reflected light. Bottom shows traces of reddish base-coat (No.1), followed by a white underlayer (No.2) and topped by the original black painted layer (No.3). All layers above the black painted layer belong to paint applied onto the sculpture at a later time (No4 to No.7).

ΓΙΑ ΤΗΝ ΟΜΑΛΗ ΠΕΡΙΗΓΗΣΗ ΣΤΟΝ ΚΟΜΒΟ

ΠΡΟΤΕΙΝΕΤΑΙ Η ΧΡΗΣΗ ΣΥΣΚΕΥΗΣ ΥΨΗΛΟΤΕΡΗΣ ΑΝΑΛΥΣΗΣ