Identification of pigments in a fourteenth-century miniature by combined micro-Raman and PIXE spectroscopic techniques

The pigments of a fourteenth-century miniature were analyzed through the combined efforts of two powerful spectroscopic techniques, particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) and micro-Raman. The use of these two complementary, non-destructive techniques provided more information than either method alone, permitting unambiguous identification of many of the pigments used in the creation of the miniature. The artist used a limited range of pigments, apparently preferring to use mixtures of materials rather than introduce additional pigments. A restoration to one area of the miniature used identical pigments to the original.