Who is afraid of discoloured red, yellow and blue? (DMC.6782)

Project nummer: dmc6782

Omschrijving van het onderzoek

This project proposes to investigate the stability of painting pigments used in many important artworks of the late 19th and early 20th century. There are indications that suggest a drastic discolouration reaction in the near future, but knowledge of the long-term behaviour of modern pigments is extremely scarce. Insight into the likelihood and expected extent of discolouration effects is therefore of great importance for the preservation of many valuable artworks.
The proposed pigment discolouration study includes cadmium red, cadmium yellow and chrome yellow, as these pigments are likely to be of poor long-term lighfastness. It is for the first time in conservation science of oil paintings that a project focuses on future discolouration effects before visible deterioration actually occurs. The methodology of this project is threefold. Firstly, artificial ageing tests will be carried out on dummy paint-outs of the pigments. Artificially aged dummy-paintings as well as original works of art will subsequently be sampled. Both types of samples will then be compared using a variety of advanced analytical techniques.
Main research target is to understand the discolouration mechanism and relate colour shifts to atomic-scale chemical and physical changes. A subsidiary, long-term aim of this project is to provide a scientific basis for preventive countermeasures that may slow down or halt further (future) degradation.

Gebruikers

Three companies are involved in this project.

Projectleider

Dr. J. Dik

Technische Universiteit Delft
Technische Natuurwetenschappen

Mekelweg 2
2628 CD Delft

Status van het project

Gestart	: 01-07-2005
Einddatum	: 01-07-2008

Trefwoorden

Pigmenten, Verf, Veroudering.

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