O'DONOGHUE, E. et al. Dictated by Media: Conservation and Technical Analysis of a 1938 Joan Miro canvas painting, 2006

Posted on Fri, 01/09/2009 - 11:11

This article was presented at the IIC congress The Object in Context: Crossing Conservation Boundaries in Munich, 2006.

by Elma O’Donoghue, Ashley M. Johnson, Joy Mazurek, Frank Preusser, Michael Schilling and
Marc S. Walton

 

Abstract

Groupe de Personnages (1938), a canvas painting created in Paris during the Spanish Civil War, required stabilization prior to exhibition. Upon examination, flaking paint and tiny spherical protrusions within those paint layers were identified. A project was initiated to determine materials that could have contributed to the current state of this painting. Because Groupe de Personnages had not undergone harsh conservation treatments this was a unique opportunity to study Miró’s techniques and materials from a period of great artistic experimentation. Scientific analysis revealed the identity of pigments and the presence of zinc soaps. In addition, because Miró was a prolific writer, evidence was found in his letters, studio notes and interviews to corroborate analytical results — contributing to a more complete understanding of his artistic intentions and the conservation-related consequences of his selected materials.

 

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O'DONOGHUE, E. Dictactated by Media

 

Important copyright information

This article was presented at the IIC congress The Object in Context: Crossing Conservation Boundaries in Munich, 2006. The text was first published in the IIC 2006 congress preceedings. The permission to publish this article on the INCCA website has kindly been given by the IIC. This abstract may only be downloaded for personal use. It may not be redistributed. Permission for redistribution must be requested from IIC.