By examining the mechanical and dimensional behavior of artists’ materials with respect to changes in ambient relative humidity it is possible to identify those materials that are at risk. This workshop will show the results of tensile tests, swelling isotherms, and restrained testing of artists’ linen canvases, hide glues, gessoes, and oil paints. While many of these materials together can act as a composite painting structure, it is possible to show which individual layer is developing either high or low stresses with changes in humidity. It is also possible to show illustrations of actual damaged paintings and relate their damage to specific properties of individual artists’ materials and the environments inducing the damage.
Additionally, from examining the properties and performance of the individual artists’ materials, one can determine the properties required for possible consolidating adhesives in order to properly restructure a damaged painting.
Speaker: Marion F. Mecklenburg, Senior Research Scientist Emeritus at Smithsonian Institution, Museum Conservation Institute
Detailed information in this PDF.
Dates: 23, 24, 25 May 2012
Place of workshop:
Institut national du patrimoine (Inp)
Galerie Colbert
2 rue Vivienne
75002 Paris
France
Contact:
Nathalie Le Dantec, responsible for continuing education: nathalie.ledantec@inp.fr
Anne Archenoul, registration and organization: anne.archenoul@inp.fr / +33 1 49 46 57 92
Registration fee : € 630
French translation: Anne Baxter, conservator of painting