The Center's Science for Art Fall 2018 Speaker Series welcomes Dr. Thomas Tague on September 20th for his talk "A Journey in Characterizing Art Objects Utilizing Vibrational Spectroscopy"
The Center's Science for Art Fall 2018 Speaker Series welcomes Dr. Thomas Tague on September 20th for his talk "A Journey in Characterizing Art Objects Utilizing Vibrational Spectroscopy." Join us for a lecture and discussion on the adaptation and development of new methods and instrumentation to allow the spectroscopic microanalysis of art objects.
Dr. Tague is Applications Manager at Bruker Corporation. He received his Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Utah and has more than 80 publications and 5 Patents.
Talk Details:
Thursday, September 20th, 12-1pm
Technological Institute – TechA110
2145 Sheridan Road
Evanston, IL, 60208
Full Abstract:
A Journey in Characterizing Art Objects Utilizing Vibrational Spectroscopy
Thomas J Tague Jr., Bruker Corporation
Art objects such as high value paintings and sculptures present the greatest challenge for being able to characterize the objects in question for provenance and conservation. The objects can be large, irregularly shaped, fragile, and located in difficult areas to access. These areas can range from an active gallery, where the object attracts so much attention that the curator will simply not allow the object to be moved, to a remote location where simply having access to power can be very challenging. Complicating the analysis further is the fact that many times the important areas for analysis are actually microscopic in size on these large objects. This presentation will cover the adaptation and development of new methods and instrumentation to allow the spectroscopic microanalysis of these objects. These adaptations include the development of a new surface enhanced Raman method and delivery device, a new handheld Raman spectrometer, and a new stand-off FTIR imaging system. Among the examples discussed will be the important newly discovered Leonardo Da Vinci masterpiece, “Salvator Mundi”, “Stepping Out”, by Roy Lichtenstein, and the conservation of ancient pictographs at the Hueco Tanks.
About Dr. Tague:
Thomas Tague is the Applications Manager for Bruker Corporation. He is also a member of the Visiting Advisory Committee of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Advisory Board of Amplified Sciences, and the Board of Corporators of the Worcester Art Museum. Dr. Tague received his Ph.D. from the University of Utah in Chemistry and his B.S., also in Chemistry, from the University of Texas at San Antonio. He conducted his postdoctoral research at the University of Virginia working with Professor Lester Andrews. He is a member of the American Chemical Society, Society for Applied Spectroscopy, American Physical Society, and the Optical Society of America. Dr. Tague is active in developing new methods and instrumentation with the goal of improving the sensitivity and detection limits of spectroscopy related applications. Tom has more than 80 publications and 5 Patents.