Diamond cell infrared spectroscopy and its application to paint and pigment analysis is described. The progress to date shows a technique allowing easy, rapid, routine analysis of samples as small as 4 micrograms. Preliminary sample preparation is almost unneccessary and the sample can be easily recovered almost quantitatively for further study. The technique is especially suitable for solid samples and can provide information regarding pigment and media on the same small sample. Author's address: Conservation Division, National Historic Parks and Sites Branch, Department of Indian and Northern Affairs, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.