A New Methodology for Noninvasive Analysis of Miniatures on Parchment Using Raman Spectroscopy (RS), Scanning Macro‐XRF (MA‐XRF) Imaging, Multiband Imaging (MBI), and Reflectance Imaging Spectroscopy (RIS)

This study presents a comprehensive nondestructive technical analysis of two late 16th‐century landscape miniatures from the Princes Czartoryski Collection at the National Museum in Krakow. The works, created by Hans Bol (1584) and his pupil Jacob Savery (1590), were examined to characterize the masters' techniques, pigment palettes, and the extent of historical conservation interventions. A multianalytical approach was employed, integrating multiband imaging (MBI), scanning macro‐XRF (MA‐XRF) imaging, Raman spectroscopy (RS), and reflectance imaging spectroscopy (RIS). The results revealed that the two miniatures evaluated underwent historical retouching, primarily in the sky areas, identified through UV imaging. The primary palette consists of copper‐based greens (brochantite and posnjakite) and blues (azurite), with the notable presence of “flower of indigo” in dark grey areas. Red hues were achieved using cinnabar, cochineal, and hematite, the latter being the primary pigment for architectural elements in Bol's work. The study demonstrates the high technical quality of the miniatures and highlights the complementary nature of the applied spectroscopic techniques in identifying complex pigment mixtures and preparatory underdrawings without the need for sampling.