https://doi.org/10.1140/epjp/s13360-025-06544-1
Regular Article
Application of non-destructive techniques to evaluate the sculpture of our Lady of Good Health
1
Nuclear Instrumentation Laboratory, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
2
National Historic and Artistic Heritage Institute, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Received:
28
October
2024
Accepted:
7
June
2025
Published online:
25
June
2025
This study examines the eighteenth-century Portuguese polychrome wooden sculpture Our Lady of Good Health, housed at the Museum Arquidiocesano de Arte Sacra in Rio de Janeiro, using portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) and digital radiography (DR). The primary objectives were to assess the sculpture’s structural integrity, identify pigments, and detect restorative interventions. pXRF analysis revealed a diverse palette, including yellow, red, green, blue, and white pigments. The detection of modern pigments in restored areas suggests interventions occurred from the nineteenth century onward. Radiographic analysis uncovered key structural details, such as glass eyes, modern nails, areas of restoration, and a modern hook at the top of the sculpture’s head, indicating significant restorative work. Radiographic imaging was performed using a portable X-ray unit (ICM CP120B by Teledyne) with a flat-panel detector (DXR 250U-W, General Electric), while pXRF measurements were taken with a Bruker Tracer-III SD Portable, equipped with a rhodium target X-ray tube and Si PIN diode detector, operating at 40 kV and 60 µA. These findings provide valuable insights to guide future conservation efforts and highlight the importance of preserving culturally significant artifacts. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of non-invasive analytical techniques in uncovering the history and composition of religious artwork.
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© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Società Italiana di Fisica and Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2025
Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
