Authors: R Lehmann HJ Schmidt B F O Costa M Blumers A Sansano F Rull D Wengerowsky F Nürnberger H J Maier G Klingelhöfer F Renz
Publish Date: 2016/03/01
Volume: 237, Issue: 1, Pages: 69-
Abstract
The painting of a rich Jewish merchant “Bildnis eines jüdischen Kaufmanns” from the Netherlands is dated presumably to the 16th century After a vivid historical background ie robbed by the Nazis by order of Hermann Göring it was recently discovered on an Austrian flea market Different analysis methods were combined to identify the time of the production of this historically interesting looted art Nondestructive MIMOS II Fe57 Mössbauer spectroscopy was utilised for mesurements in selected spots This mainly revealed haematite αFe2O3 in the red curtain In spots of the brown jacket Mössbauer spectra indicated the presence of mainly IronIII in superparamagnetic oxide or oxidehydroxide Consecutively SEM measurements revealed a restoration by partly overpainting The elementary composition of the pigments was examined by a portableXray fluorescence μXRF analysis for element distribution at different areas was performed The look into a crack showed Zincwhite at the bottom of the crack Traces of Titaniumwhite could be found within some locations on the surface of the painting In terms of provenance of the artwork the presence of Zinkwhite suggests that the painting was painted around the 19th century Titaniumwhite indicates a reconstruction during the 20th century approximately between 1917 and 1958
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