Guangzhou Tongcao painting in late China Qing Dynasty (1840–1912 AD): technology revealed by analytical approaches

Abstract Guangzhou Tongcao paintings in Qing Dynasty of China witnessed the exchange economy, culture, art and technology between foreign countries, which were an important export product historical China. In this paper, by using Optical Stereo Microscope, Polarized Light Scanning Electron Microscope attached Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy micro confocal laser Raman Spectroscope, a painting with subject family life official’s female relative was analyzed. Our study revealed that: (1) hexagonal cell morphology easily observed pith could contain more pigments increase stereo sense painting, had started to degrade, indicated urgent requirement on conservation paintings; (2) alum needed as fixing agent preparation process; (3) both domestic including red lead, calcite, lead white, carbon black gamboge, synthetic imported from Europe (synthetic ultramarine, prussian blue emerald green) applied reflected bi-directional communication culture western world. Meanwhile, existence green helpful further identify production date late Dynasty, mainly mid-late 19th century.