• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.120-129
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• 2022

The purpose of this study is to analyze the chemical composition of smalt pigments used in 10 large Buddhist paintings in the Joseon Dynasty using energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and to clarify the material and characteristics by observing morphological characteristics using polarized light microscopy and a scanning electron microscope. Through chemical composition analysis, the smalt of all 10 large Buddhist paintings is judged to be potash glass using SiO₂ as a former and K₂O as a flux. In addition to the components related to cobalt ore used as a colorant, the paintings were found to contain high levels of As₂O₃, BaO, and PbO. The smalt particles did not have specific forms, and were blue in color, with various chromaticity. In some particles, conchoidal fracture, spherical bubbles, and impurities were observed. Through backscattered electron images, it was found that the smalt from paintings produced in the early 18th century AD had a high level of As, but the smalt from paintings produced from the mid-18th century AD onwards exhibited various contrast differences from particle to particle, and there was smalt with high levels of As, Ba, and Pb. Through the above results, the large Buddhist paintings in the Joseon Dynasty are divided into three smalt types. Type A is a type with high As₂O₃, type B is a type with high BaO, and type C is a type with high PbO. Looking at the three types of smalt pigments by the period of production, although some in-between periods were not detected, type A was confirmed to have been used from 1705 to 1808, while type B and type C were shown to have appeared in 1750 and used until 1808. This reveals that only one type of smalt was used until the early 18th century AD, and from the middle of the 18th century AD, several types of smalt were mixed and used in one large Buddhist painting. Studies such as this research are expected to provide insights into the characteristics of the smalt pigments used to produce large Buddhist paintings at the time.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.22-35
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• 2021

Recently, as the climate changes rapidly and the prevalence of airborne fine particulate matter increases, the pattern of pollutants in the atmospheric environment is also changing. Therefore, the importance of studying the stability of pigments used in colored cultural properties is emerging. Hoecheong is an inorganic blue glass pigment called smalt; it is made by using cobalt as a coloring element in potash glass, and was widely used in colored cultural assets, such as murals and paintings. In this study, we collected three other hoecheong pigments to analyze their properties. The percentage of Co and K contained are different according to the manufacturer, and the smalt-3 sample has a lower cobalt content (15.1 wt.%) and higher potassium content (29.6 wt.%). After this analysis, colored specimens were prepared. Prepared specimens were exposed to ultra-violet rays, CO₂/NO₂, and NaCl, which are known to have the greatest influence on the stability of pigments. We found that factors affecting the color stability were NO₂ gas, ultra-violet rays, and water-soluble salts (NaCl). Among them, NO₂ has the most severe impact on color change of the pigments. Results of the component analysis showed that the color change depends on the potassium and cobalt content of the hoecheong pigment. Among the specimens, smalt-3 showed the most vulnerability after exposure to NO₂ gas and water-soluble salts. Pigment film stability is affected by watersoluble salts, giving rise not only to color change, but also weakening the physical properties of the film. However, there was no significant change in composition and color after exposure to CO₂ gas. In conclusion, we found that hoecheong pigments underwent color change and increased instability of the coating film when exposed to any of the atmospheric environmental factors used in this study, except for CO₂.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.571-578
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• 2016

This study analyzed the pigments used in two portraits of Sim Hui-su using scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive spectroscopy(SEM/EDS), X-ray diffraction(XRD) analysis, and microscopic observation, and then compared the results to those from nondestructive analysis. It was estimated that cinnabar/vermilion and minium were used for the red pigment, azurite for the blue pigment, atacamite for the green pigment, and lead white for the white pigment. These results were compared to the pigments of six portraits with a similar format, full-length official-attire portraits from the $17-18^{th}$ century Joseon period. It was revealed that the composition of the pigments used in the portraits varied depending on the date of production. Iron oxide, another red pigment, was used in the $18^{th}$ century. As for the blue colorant, smalt was used in the late $18^{th}$ century, whereas it was absent until the early $18^{th}$ century.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.689-700
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• 2019

This study aimed to analyze the nature and characteristics of the preserved state, materials, and colored pigments of a Buddhist painting of Eunhaesa temple(gwaebultaeng), which is Treasure No. 1270 of Korea, through scientific investigation and analysis. Based on the historical background of the subject, the study investigated the aspects of conservation and analyzed the material characteristics of each pigment in the painting. Results indicate that various colors were created using inorganic pigments such as white lead, minium, cinnabar, orpiment, gold, atacamite, malachite, and smalt and using organic pigments such as black and indigo. The Eunhaesa painting used "cho" as a material for wallpaper, which was unusual during the Joseon period. In addition, a white layer was formed using various white pigments, which was also rare during this period.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.226-245
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• 2019

Beopjusa Gwaebultaeng (Large Buddhist Painting), designated as Treasure No. 1259, was painted in 1766 and featured Yeorae (Buddha) at the center in the style of a single figure. It is the longest existing buddhist painting and was created by Duhun, a painter who was representative of 18th century Korean artists. His other remaining work is Seokgayeorae Gwaebultaeng (1767) in Tongdosa Temple. Considering their same iconography, they are assumed to have used the same underdrawing. Duhun had a superb ability to maintain a consistent underdrawing, while most painters changed theirs within a year. The Beopjusa painting carries significance because it was not only painted earlier than the one in Tongdosa, but also indicates possible relevance to the royal family through its records. Beopjusa Temple is also the site of Seonhuigung Wondang, a shrine housing the spirit tablet of Lady Yi Youngbin, also known as Lady Seonhui. Having been built only a year before Beopjusa Gwaebultaeng was painted, it served as a basis for the presumption that it has a connection to the royal family. In particular, a group of unmarried women is noticeable in the record of Beopjusa painting. The names of some people, including Ms. Lee, born in the year of Gyengjin, are recorded on the Bonginsa Temple Building, the construction of which Lady Yi Youngbin and Princess Hwawan donated money to. In this regard, they are probably court ladies related to Lady Yi Youngbin. The connection of Beopjusa Gwaebultaeng with the royal family is also verified by a prayer at the bottom of the painting, reading "JusangJusamJeonhaSumanse (主上主三殿下壽萬歲, May the king live forever)." While looking into the historical characteristics of this art, this study took an approach based on scientific analysis. Damages to Beopjusa Gwaebultaeng include: bending, folding, wrinkles, stains due to moisture, pigment spalling, point-shaped pigment spalling, and pigment penetration to the lining paper at the back. According to the results of an analysis of the painting pigments, white lead was used as a white pigment, while an ink stick and indigo were used for black. For red, cinnabar and minium were used independently or were combined. For purple, organic pigments seem to have been used. For yellow, white lead and gamboge were mixed, or gamboge was painted over white lead, and gold foil was adopted for storage. As a green pigment, atacamite or a mixture of atacamite and malachite was used. Azurite and smalt were used separately or together as blue pigments.

• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.29
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• pp.1-32
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• 2023

The Paintings of a 60^th Wedding Anniversary Ceremony Created by an Unknown Painter (Deoksu 6375), housed by the National Museum of Korea, is a five-panel painting book depicting scenes from a wedding ceremony. Hoehonrye is a type of repeated wedding ceremony to commemorate a couple's 60th wedding anniversary with congratulations from the community. The paintings of the book record five scenes from the wedding: jeoninrye, a ceremony where the groom brings a wooden wild goose to the bride's house; gyoberye, the groom and the bride bowing to each other; heosurye, pouring liquor to toast to the couple's longevity; jeopbin, offering tea to guests; and a banquet to celebrates the couple's 60th wedding anniversary. The book describes figures, buildings and a variety of items in detail with delicate brushstrokes. The techniques were examined using microscopy, infrared, and X-ray irradiation and hyperspectral imaging analysis. The invisible parts were examined to identify the rough sketch and distinguish pigments and dyes used for each color. The components of the pigments were determined by X-ray fluorescence analysis, while the dyes were identified by UV-vis spectrometry. Microscope observation revealed that the fabric used for the paintings was raw silk thread with almost no fiber twist, and plain silk fabric. Hyperspectral imaging analysis, X-ray fluorescence analysis, and UV-vis spectrometry confirmed that the white pigment was white lead and the black was chinese ink. The red pigments were using red clay, cinnabar, and a mixture of cinnabar and minium. Brown was made using red clay and organic dyes, and yellow using gamboge. Green was identified as indigo, malachite, chrome green, barium sulfide, and blue as azurite, smalt, and indigo. The purple dye was estimated as a mixture of indigo and cochineal, and gold parts were used gold powder. Hyperspectral images were distinguished parts damaged and conservation treatment area.