Scientific Examination and Analysis
Image 1: Detail of X-radiograph of Heroine from the Old Testament (Esther or Bathsheba) by Rembrandt. (National Gallery of Canada, Acc. No. 6089)
Image 2: Photographic recording of rock paintings near Leaf Rapids, Manitoba.
Image 3: Scanning electron micrograph of feather to investigate deterioration.
Image 4: Instruments such as this X-ray microdiffractometer are used to obtain information from extremely small samples.
The Institute offers a comprehensive package of scientific, analytical, and photographic services, described herein. Staff use physical and chemical methods to study the materials and structure of artifacts and works of art. The work is diverse, ranging from the study of materials used by Aboriginal people to the examination of Canadian and European painting and sculpture. Research and analysis of materials from archaeological sites and natural history collections are also undertaken in the laboratory and in the field. Staff use a number of analytical techniques to characterize art and archaeological materials, and specialize in the correlative application of multiple techniques and instruments to answer a wide range of questions. Instrumentation and methodologies have been developed to provide a great deal of useful information from extremely small samples.
Some examples of scientific, analytical, and photographic services offered include:
documentation and analysis of paintings, sculptures, prints and drawings, textiles, furniture, artifacts from archaeological sites and ethnographic collections, and natural history specimens
physical and chemical analysis of samples such as pigments and fillers, corrosion products, wood, natural and synthetic fibres, metals and alloys, organic materials, and collagenous materials
scientific studies in support of museum acquisitions of artifacts and works of art and investigations by law enforcement agencies related to questions of attribution, authenticity, and fraud
Staff use a large number of techniques in their work including:
polarized light microscopy and fluorescence microscopy
X-ray secondary emission (fluorescence) spectrometry
scanning electron microscopy and X-ray microanalysis
X-ray diffraction and X-ray microdiffractometry
Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and microspectroscopy
scientific and technical photography, including photomacrography, infrared, ultraviolet, and fluorescence (colour) photography
digital imaging and digital image processing
(stereo) X-radiography and electron emission radiography
