When Pigments Whisper: Portable Science Unlocks the Secrets of Color at the Library of Congress
A single pigment can hold centuries of stories, but unlocking those tales once meant risking the artwork itself. Enter the portable FTIR—an instrument no bigger than a laptop, yet powerful enough to decode the molecular makeup of historic colors without ever moving a priceless manuscript.
Preservation scientists now use this technology to build a reference database, comparing how different FTIR modules—ATR, DRIFTS, and Transmission—analyze the same pigment. Each method requires its own sample prep, from quick diamond reflections to painstakingly pressed pellets, revealing slightly different spectral fingerprints. This cross-comparison doesn’t just identify what’s in the paint; it can hint at when and where a pigment was used, guiding conservators in choosing the safest preservation methods.
By assembling these spectral snapshots, the Library of Congress is quietly future-proofing its treasures—proving that sometimes, the best way to protect history is to let the colors do the talking.
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