INTK Material Collection

The INTK historical materials collection contains 1691 materials dated to the late 19^th and beginning 20^th centuries. Around 400 inorganic pigments, 800 synthetic organic pigments (SOPs) and dyes, as well as about 490 organic binders (natural and synthetic resins, oils, waxes, animal glues), polymers, additives, metal soaps, different raw materials, etc. are included in the collection.

The major part of the natural and synthetic pigments (inorganic and organic), dyes, binding media, resins, solvents, and polymers housed since the 1960s in the Institute for Natural Sciences and Technology in the Arts (Institut für Naturwissenschaften und Technologie in der Kunst, INTK) at the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna stems from the collection of the former Institute of Materials Technology and Product Management of the Vienna University of Economics and Business.

All materials are listed in the database, which contains the extensive material information (e.g. inventory number, trivial name, chemical name, label, color index, generic name/number, source/manufacturer, material type, chemical, visual, and literature information). Furthermore, the results obtained from materials analyses on about 1,200 colorants are included in the database.

Approximately 400 inorganic pigments were analyzed by combining X-ray fluorescence (XRF), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), μ-Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) aiming at the characterization of the elemental and molecular composition as well as the crystallographic structure. For the characterization of about 800 organic colorants (Synthetic Organic Pigments – SOPs and dyes) Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), μ-Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) were employed.

The aim is to cross-link all kinds of the available information (material data, spectral data, etc.) in order to provide one easily-searchable web-enabled database containing valuable reference materials for users in the field of heritage science.