7 CONCLUSIONS

THE RESULTS of using microtomed cross sections and thick cross sections to study paint binding media and pigments have shown promise. We are able to microtome a sample thin enough for FTIR analysis. Baker et al. (1988), Reffuer et al. (1987), and Meilunas et al. (1990) have investigated the use of FTIR as an analytical tool in conservation, and all have suggested studying the individual layers on cross sections by FTIR may become a powerful method for determining the changes in painting media. We are able not only to provide thin sections but also to preserve the integrity of the cross section for other binding media and pigment analyses. We plan to continue our studies through experiments with different embedding materials, sectioning knives, section thicknesses, and painting media such as fresco, encaustic, and mixed media.