Identification of Lazurite Pigment in Persian Miniatures by PIXE and AFM Methods

In this work، the composition of blue paints in selected miniatures of Yūsof-o-Zalīkhā (Yusuf and Zulaikha) illustrated book related to Safavid period (Iran، 15th century) as well as the main reasons of their destruction have been investigated. The miniatures were analyzed by proton-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) analytical methods. It was found that the pigment of blue colors is mainly lazurite and the extender is the main cause of destruction of blue paints. PIXE analysis results showed the presence of the extenders; PbCO3 and CaCO3. The AFM images showed that dissolving the extender CaCO3 in acidic media has united small aggregation of the salt and driven these bigger aggregations to the surface، makes them visible as white spots in the surface of the miniature. J. Color Sci. Tech. 9 (2015)، 251-258©. Institute for Color Science and Technology.