Non-destructive methods of analysis to characterize an easel painting by Victor Meirelles

Abstract The use of analytical, non-destructive, non-invasive, and portable techniques applied to the Cultural Heritage research represents a great collaboration between different sciences. With these methods, artwork can have its original pigments identified, as well as be checked for other pigments used in interventions. These techniques allow to identify the artist’s creative process without having to move the artwork to the laboratory. This study’s main advantage is assisting art historians, restorers and conservators, and correlating time-period artworks. The painting “Dr José Maria Chaves” (1873) by Victor Meirelles, from MASP’s collection, was the subject of this study by using imaging (VIS, RAK, UVL, and IRR) and spectroscopies (ED-XRF and Raman) methods. Through these it was possible to identify a few “pentiments” performed by the artist, many interventions, and different layers of varnish. Besides that, it was suggested the pigments used by the artist, highlighting the base preparation with Lead White and the uncommon use of Naples Yellow. This results help to increment the database about the Brazilian artist and his historical period, providing a better understanding of creative techniques, palletes, interventions, and strengthing the database for future works.