Pigment differences in mid-20th century Korean oil paintings based on artists’ regions of activity
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Abstract
Abstract This study analyzed mid-20th century Korean oil paintings to determine whether pigment usage differed based on artists’ regions of activity or overseas education. The analysis was centered on macro X-ray fluorescence (MA-XRF) and Raman spectroscopy, both of which are non-invasive techniques that allow for direct examination of the artworks without sampling. By comparing paintings by two artists who studied in Japan and returned to Korea with those by an artist active in Russia and North Korea, it was found that the former used pigments such as vermilion, chrome yellow, and phthalocyanine-based pigments, while the latter employed cadmium red, strontium yellow, zinc yellow, and zinc green. These results suggest that Korean artists’ access to pigments varied by region, reflecting broader geopolitical influences on artistic materials. This study highlights the value of material analysis in understanding modern Korean painting practices and offers a foundation for future interdisciplinary research.
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Research context
OpenAlex topics: Cultural Heritage Materials Analysis · Conservation Techniques and Studies · Archaeological Research and Protection
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References (64)
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