Analytical Chemistry Techniques in the Field of Art Conservation

The field of art conservation relies on many analytical techniques that are also used in the field of chemistry. Art comes in many forms from paintings, to sculptures, to written word. Each work of art can be chemically unique, as well as chemically and structurally complex. Modern analytical chemistry techniques such as IR, RAMAN, X-ray spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry coupled with a variety of imaging methods can help art conservationists to rapidly identify and characterize the materials present in a given work and choose the best course of action to preserve and restore it.