The Cleaning of Paintings: Effects of Organicon Oil Paint films
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English Slovak |
| ISSN: | ISSN 1605-8410 |
| Online Access: | http://www.viks.sk/chk/revincon10.doc |
| Abstract: | SUMMARIES. The paper is a review of technical studies of the effects of solvents on oil paints in the context of the removal of varnish from paintings. After an introduction describing the historical background to technical studies of cleaning, the various effects of solvents on oil paints are discussed: swelling and softening of the paint binder (which can contribute to the vulnerability of paints to pigment loss during cleaning); solvent diffusion and retention; and leaching (i.e. the extraction of soluble organic compounds from the paint). The paper closes with a discussion of methodological issues in cleaning studies, particularly the relationship between studies on 'model' reference paint films and realistic, 'clinical' studies of actual cleaning operations, considering also the related issue of the ageing of oil paints. CONCLUSION. The recent trend towards direct studies of cleaning effects on paintings, as well as the study of significantly aged paint samples in conjunction with younger, reference paint films, has been an important development in cleaning research. Much work still remains to be done, however. For example, investigations of alterations in mechanical and optical properties of paint layers as a result of cleaning treatments would be valuable, to complement similar, 'clinical' studies of leaching. With regard to leaching, data is presently available only for a fairly limited range of pure solvents. Information on the leaching potential of a wider range of solvents that reflects the various practices of restorers, particularly mixtures comprising a polar and an apolar solvent, would add significantly to our understanding of this aspect of risk in the practical situation of cleaning. Correlation of the models of paint/solvent interaction with further studies of the selective solubility of aged resin varnishes in solvents of different type may also lead to useful practical developments. Along with the improved understanding of drying oil chemistry, which is coming from current research, continuing studies will help to build a more precise and constructive picture of the risks associated with solvent cleaning. |
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| ISSN: | ISSN 1605-8410 |
