MCI Project Summaries 2008 - Smithsonian Institution

March 24, 2009, and September 24, 2009
Raman Spectroscopy: A Powerful Tool for the Art Conservator (Webinar)
Odile Madden, Smithsonian Institution, Museum Conservation Institute, and Mark Wall,
Molecular Spectroscopy Products, Thermo Fisher Scientific
The field of art conservation has regularly turned to advanced analytical instruments to
help them with questions of identification of materials to aide in authentication, to identify
materials used for restoration purposes, and to understand the composition of artifacts to aide in
determining how they should be cared for. Raman spectroscopy is one of the techniques showing
up more and more often in art conservation centers.
Raman spectroscopy is applicable to many organic and inorganic materials. It provides a means
to: identify and characterize pigments in paintings, frescoes, rock art, and manuscripts;
characterize binders and resins; characterize ceramics and glazes; identify and characterize
synthetic and natural polymers; identify gemstones and inclusions within stones without
damaging specimens; and, characterize bone, shell, and horn based materials.
Recent advances in software and instrumentation have transformed Raman from a technique
requiring considerable expertise to one that can be used effectively by the non-expert. Join us to
learn about the powerful capabilities of Raman spectroscopy.
Who should attend?
If you have specimens that are proving difficult to characterize, have identification challenges, or
if you have heard about Raman and want to learn more about what it might do for you, this is a
presentation you should plan on attending.
This live webinar was 30 minutes and was followed by 15 minutes for questions and answers.
Join our Raman experts and explore the possibilities for this powerful technique in the field of art
conservation. Presented twice.
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