Publicação
A Multi-analytical Characterisation of Ilford and Kodak Sample Sets: Contribution to the Study of Fibre-based Developing-out-papers
| Resumo: | By understanding the significant role of physical features and chemical composition in the way photographs are admired and conserved, this study highlights the necessity of understanding these elements for accurate dating, authentication, and well-informed conservation decisions. The present work explores photographic prints’ materiality, focusing on fibre-based developing-out-papers (DOPs). This type of photographic paper was mainly commercially produced throughout the 20th century. Its complex structure consists of multiple layers containing organic and inorganic matter. By using different materials and following various manufacturing techniques, the producing companies were able to obtain papers with a wide range of base tints, surface features, thicknesses, and gelatine emulsions with different light sensitivities, image tones, speeds, and tonal ranges. In this sense, commercial sample sets of already printed photographic papers represent valuable research materials. They were distributed by the manufacturers at the time to professional photographers and amateurs to show the range of papers available. The complexities of DOPs are addressed through the multi-analytical characterisation of three sample sets: two from Ilford, produced around 1950, and one from the U.S. company Kodak, dating to 1972. By doing so, the study aims to complement the knowledge on fibre- based DOPs, by bringing new information about European manufacturing of photographic paper, specifically the one produced by Ilford. To achieve this goal, the present research began by examining the main steps in production. This initial phase uncovered important details about print compositions, which helped in interpreting the analysis results. Prior to prints’ analysis, a survey of recurrent analytical techniques used for DOPs’ characterization was conducted in order to establish an effective methodology. Emphasizing non-invasive techniques applicable to artworks, this study includes methods like photo-documentation, microscopy, thickness and weight measurements, colourimetry, micro energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (μ-EDXRF), external reflection Fourier transform infrared (ER-FTIR), and Raman spectroscopies. These techniques allow for a detailed examination of surface characteristics, stratigraphy, and chemical composition. The study also includes sampling techniques for fibre and pulp identification and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) analysis to deepen understanding of papers’ stratigraphy and elemental attribution for each layer. This comprehen-sive analysis offered valuable information to support conservation decision-making and historical understanding of fibre-based DOPs. |
|---|---|
| Autores principais: | Valean, Laura-Cassandra |
| Assunto: | fibre-based DOPs photographic paper manufacturing XRF SEM-EDS Raman spectroscopy ER-FTIR |
| Ano: | 2024 |
| País: | Portugal |
| Tipo de documento: | dissertação de mestrado |
| Tipo de acesso: | acesso aberto |
| Instituição associada: | Universidade Nova de Lisboa |
| Idioma: | inglês |
| Origem: | Repositório Institucional da UNL |
| Resumo: | By understanding the significant role of physical features and chemical composition in the way photographs are admired and conserved, this study highlights the necessity of understanding these elements for accurate dating, authentication, and well-informed conservation decisions. The present work explores photographic prints’ materiality, focusing on fibre-based developing-out-papers (DOPs). This type of photographic paper was mainly commercially produced throughout the 20th century. Its complex structure consists of multiple layers containing organic and inorganic matter. By using different materials and following various manufacturing techniques, the producing companies were able to obtain papers with a wide range of base tints, surface features, thicknesses, and gelatine emulsions with different light sensitivities, image tones, speeds, and tonal ranges. In this sense, commercial sample sets of already printed photographic papers represent valuable research materials. They were distributed by the manufacturers at the time to professional photographers and amateurs to show the range of papers available. The complexities of DOPs are addressed through the multi-analytical characterisation of three sample sets: two from Ilford, produced around 1950, and one from the U.S. company Kodak, dating to 1972. By doing so, the study aims to complement the knowledge on fibre- based DOPs, by bringing new information about European manufacturing of photographic paper, specifically the one produced by Ilford. To achieve this goal, the present research began by examining the main steps in production. This initial phase uncovered important details about print compositions, which helped in interpreting the analysis results. Prior to prints’ analysis, a survey of recurrent analytical techniques used for DOPs’ characterization was conducted in order to establish an effective methodology. Emphasizing non-invasive techniques applicable to artworks, this study includes methods like photo-documentation, microscopy, thickness and weight measurements, colourimetry, micro energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (μ-EDXRF), external reflection Fourier transform infrared (ER-FTIR), and Raman spectroscopies. These techniques allow for a detailed examination of surface characteristics, stratigraphy, and chemical composition. The study also includes sampling techniques for fibre and pulp identification and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) analysis to deepen understanding of papers’ stratigraphy and elemental attribution for each layer. This comprehen-sive analysis offered valuable information to support conservation decision-making and historical understanding of fibre-based DOPs. |
|---|