Evaluation of novel cleaning systems on mock-ups of unvarnished oil paint and chalk-glue ground within the Munch Aula Paintings Project

Heritage Science

Bronwyn Ormsby¹  Tine Frøysaker²  Lena Porsmo Stoveland²  Maartje Stols-Witlox³  Odile Madden⁴  Terje Grøntoft⁵  Calin Constantin Steindal⁶ 

[1] Conservation Department, Tate, Millbank, SW1P 4RG, London, UK;Conservation Studies, IAKH, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway;Department of Conservation and Restoration, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands;Getty Conservation Institute, Los Angeles, CA, USA;Norwegian Institute for Air Research, NILU, Kjeller, Norway;SciCult Laboratory, Department of Collection Management, Museum of Cultural History, KHM, Oslo, Norway;

关键词: Conservation;    Cleaning;    Evaluation;    Mock-ups;    Unvarnished oil paintings;    Edvard Munch;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s40494-021-00599-w

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

Low-risk removal of embedded surface soiling on delicate heritage objects can require novel alternatives to traditional cleaning systems. Edvard Munch’s monumental Aula paintings (1911–16) have a long history of exposure to atmospheric pollution and cleaning campaigns that have compromised the appearance and the condition of these important artworks. Soiling removal from porous and water-sensitive, unvarnished oil paintings continues to be a major conservation challenge. This paper presents the approach and results of research into the effect and efficiency of three novel systems used for soiling removal: soft particle blasting, CO2-snow blasting, and Nanorestore Gel® Dry and Peggy series hydrogels. Cleaning tests were performed on accelerated-aged and artificially soiled mock-ups consisting of unvarnished oil paint and chalk-glue grounds. Visual and analytical assessment (magnification using a light microscope and scanning electron microscope, as well as colour- and gloss measurement) was carried out before and after mock-up cleaning tests and the results were compared to those obtained using the dry polyurethane sponges employed in the most recent Aula surface cleaning campaign (2009–11). Although the results varied, the Nanorestore Gel® series proved promising with respect to improved soiling removal efficiency, and reduced pigment loss for the water-sensitive surfaces evaluated, compared to dry sponges.

【 授权许可】

CC BY