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Unveiling the Ambrotype: Characterization of Two 19th Century Photographs

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 August 2018

Leonor Costa ,
Margarida Nunes ,
Sónia Costa ,
Milene Trindade ,
Catarina Miguel  and
Teresa Ferreira
Leonor Costa
Affiliation:
HERCULES Laboratory, University of Évora, Largo Marquês de Marialva, 8, 7000-809 Évora, Portugal
Margarida Nunes
Affiliation:
HERCULES Laboratory, University of Évora, Largo Marquês de Marialva, 8, 7000-809 Évora, Portugal
Sónia Costa
Affiliation:
HERCULES Laboratory, University of Évora, Largo Marquês de Marialva, 8, 7000-809 Évora, Portugal
Milene Trindade
Affiliation:
HERCULES Laboratory, University of Évora, Largo Marquês de Marialva, 8, 7000-809 Évora, Portugal Polytechnic Institute of Tomar, Quinta do Contador. Estrada da Serra, 2300-313 Tomar, Portugal
Catarina Miguel
Affiliation:
HERCULES Laboratory, University of Évora, Largo Marquês de Marialva, 8, 7000-809 Évora, Portugal
Teresa Ferreira*
Affiliation:
HERCULES Laboratory, University of Évora, Largo Marquês de Marialva, 8, 7000-809 Évora, Portugal Chemistry Department at the Science and Technology School, University of Évora, Rua Romão Ramalho, 59, 7000-671 Évora, Portugal
*
*Author for correspondence: Teresa Ferreira, E-mail: tasf@uevora.pt
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Abstract

This work used a multi-analytical approach to characterize two 19th century ambrotypes and was motivated by the lack of insight on these historical objects. Photographic imaging and optical microscopy (OM) were used to identify abrasions, cracks related to reticulation, tarnishing, and other aspects associated to production and degradation processes. With variable pressure scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) these processes were seen with great detail and further characterized. Elemental point analysis and elemental mapping showed that the photosensitive material used was silver iodide. Degradation compounds were found as silver and chlorine-containing compounds. In one of the items, the tarnishing area also contained redeposited silver in a ring-shape surrounding a nucleus rich in silver, copper, and sulfur, in addition to copper-based salts. EDS analyses also identified that the supports were common soda–lime–silica glasses, refined with arsenic; and showed that a pigment rich in iron was used in both items to hand color the cheeks, extended with aluminum silicates alone or mixed with barium sulfate. The μ-Raman study pointed out that a synthetic Mars pigment was employed. μ-Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy analyses identified collodion as the binder. Shellac was used as a protective varnish in one of the items and a gum was possibly employed on the other. Bitumen was used for the background in one ambrotype.

Keywords

Ambrotypecollodionglass plate19th-century photographsdegradationVP-SEM/EDSµ-FT-IRµ-Raman
Type
Material Sciences
Information
Microscopy and Microanalysis , Volume 25 , Issue 1 , February 2019 , pp. 203 - 213
Copyright
Copyright © Microscopy Society of America 2018 

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