Heritage Wood: Investigation and Conservation of Art on Wood (Cultural Heritage Science)

This volume highlights recent research efforts in the conservation and investigation of works of art on wood. Through eleven case studies it showcases different experimental methods ranging from X-ray analysis of objects to the study of cross-sections made from micro-samples. New research focusing on the technical study, treatment and assessment of works of art on wood in its many forms is featured in this edited volume. Technical studies include the attribution and investigations of a triptych by Hans Memling and a sculpture from workshop of Michel and Gregor Erhart, decorated Syrian rooms, and investigations of finely carved Gothic wooden objects. Synchrotron-based methods are presented for studying the alteration of 19th c. verdigris in Norway, and multi-analytical methods are employed for the investigations of 16th to 19th c. East Asian lacquer from the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna. Novel methods for the cleaning of gilded surfaces using gels and emulsions are shown, as are innovative strategies for the consolidation for waterlogged wood, providing key data for the assessment of risks and benefits of new methods, and the short and long-term effects on gilding layers and archaeological wood. The book clearly shows how collaboration between engineers, physicists, biologists and chemists and conservators of different types of materials can lead to new research in conservation science. This book is crucial reading for conservators and conservation scientists, as well as for technical art historians, providing key methodological case studies of polychromy from different temporal and geographical contexts. -- From back cover Preface 6 Contents 8 Abbreviations 10 Chapter 1: An Investigation of the Feasibility of the Use of Gels and Emulsions in Cleaning of Gilded Wooden Surfaces. Part A: Removal of Brass-Based Overpainting 12 1.1 Introduction 13 1.1.1 Gel-Cleaning Systems 14 1.1.2 Testing Methodology/Gel Selection for Brass-Based Paint Removal 15 1.2 Case Study 1: The frame for Thomas Miles Richardson, Eagle Crag and Gate Crag, Borrowdale, Cumberland 1875; dimensions: 82.5 × 111.0 × 7.5 cm 17 1.2.1 Examination 17 1.2.1.1 Cross-Sections 17 1.2.1.2 FTIR 18 1.2.1.3 Solvent Tests 18 1.2.2 Solvent Gel Testing – Removal of Brass-Based Overpainting (Table 1.1) 19 1.2.2.1 Results 20 Xanthan Gum Gel with Solvents 20 Acetone 20 Methylated Spirits 23 Benzyl Alcohol and Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid (EDTA) 23 PVOH-Borax gel 24 Acetone 24 1.3 Case Study 2: The Frame for Charles Landelle ‘Isemenie, Nymph of Diana’ 1878, Dimensions: 177.6 × 131.5 × 15.0 cm 25 1.3.1 Examination 26 1.3.1.1 Cross-Sections 26 1.3.1.2 FTIR 26 1.3.1.3 Solvent Tests 26 1.3.2 Solvent Gel Testing – Removal of Brass-Based Overpainting 27 1.3.2.1 Results (Table 1.2) 28 Xanthan Gum Solvent Gels 28 Acetone 28 Benzyl alcohol 28 PVOH-Borax Gel with Solvent 28 Acetone 28 1.3.3 Further Solvent Emulsion Tests 38 1.3.3.1 Results 38 1% (w/v) Pemulen TR2 Emulsion pH 6.5, with 10%, 20% and 30% (v/v) Benzyl Alcohol 38 1% v/v Pemulen TR2 pH 6,5 with 10% v/v and 20% v/v Benzyl Alcohol, and EDTA (1% v/v) 38 1% Pemulen TR2 pH 6,5 with 30% Benzyl Alcohol, Uncovered, Covered Loosely with Plastic, and Covered Closely 39 1% Pemulen TR2 pH 6,5 with 30% Benzyl Alcohol, Tested on a Wider Area, 10 × 10 cm2 40 1.4 Discussion 41 1.5 Conclusions 42 Appendix 44 References 45 Chapter 2: An Investigation of the Feasibility of the Use of Gels and Emulsions in Cleaning of Gilded Wooden Surfaces. Part B: Cleaning of Soiled Oil-Gilding 48 2.1 Introduction 49 2.2 Conservation Cleaning Methods Used for the Removal of Soiling from Gilded Wooden Surfaces 49 2.2.1 Laser Systems for Cleaning of Gilded Wooden Surfaces 50 2.2.2 Rigid Gels and Emulsions Systems for Dirt Removal 51 2.2.2.1 Agar Gel 52 2.2.2.2 Gellan Gum Gel 52 2.2.3 Chelating Agents 53 2.3 Case Study 1: The Frame for Thomas Miles Richardson, Eagle Crag and Gate Crag, Borrowdale, Cumberland 1875; dimensions: 82.5 × 111.0 × 7.5 cm 54 2.3.1 Solvent Tests of Soiling Layer 54 2.3.2 Gel Testing: Removal of Ingrained Dirt and Soiling Tests (Table 2.1) 55 2.3.2.1 Agar Gel with TAC 57 2.3.2.2 Gellan Gel with TAC 58 2.3.2.3 Xanthan Gel with TAC 60 2.3.2.4 PVOH-Borax Gel 60 2.4 Case Study 2: The Frame for Charles Landelle ‘Isemenie, Nymph of Diana’ 1878; dimensions: 177.6 × 131.5 × 15.0 cm 61 2.4.1 Solvent Tests of Soiling Layer 61 2.4.2 Laser Cleaning 61 2.4.3 Gel Testing – Removal of Ingrained Dirt and Soiling Tests (Table 2.2) 62 2.4.3.1 Agar Gel with TAC 66 2.4.3.2 Gellan Gel with TAC 66 2.4.3.3 Pemulen TR2 Emulsion with EDTA 67 2.5 Discussion 68 2.6 Conclusion 72 Appendix 73 References 74 Chapter 3: New Consolidants for the Conservation of Archeological Wood 76 3.1 Background 77 3.2 Experimental Results 79 3.3 Treatment of Artefacts 83 3.4 Impact for the Museum Community 84 3.5 Areas for Further Development 85 3.6 Conclusion 86 References 87 Chapter 4: Analytical Examination and Conservation of East Asian Lacquer Works from European Collections 89 4.1 Introduction 90 4.2 Experimental 90 4.3 Results and Discussion 94 4.3.1 Chinese Lacquer Object: Example 1 94 4.3.2 Japanese Lacquer Object: Example 2 96 4.3.3 European Furniture with Incorporated Japanese Lacquer Plate: Example 3 99 4.4 Conclusion 101 References 101 Chapter 5: Technology for Technology’s Sake: The Technical Study of Gothic Miniature Boxwood Carvings in the Thomson Collection at the Art Gallery of Ontario 103 5.1 Introduction 104 5.2 Description of the Thomson Collection Prayer Beads 107 5.3 Examination Using Microscopy and Macro Photography 108 5.4 Specialized Photography 109 5.5 X-Radiography 111 5.6 Micro CT Scanning 112 5.7 Scientific Analysis 115 5.8 Conclusion 116 References 118 Chapter 6: The Use of a Copper Green Oil Paint in the Interiors of Eidsvoll Manor in Norway: Analysis of a Discoloured Architectural Paint from 1814 119 6.1 Introduction 120 6.2 Methods and Analysis 121 6.3 Paint Techniques for Use in Interiors 126 6.3.1 Paint Sources 127 6.3.2 Paint Reconstruction by Mixing the Analysed Components and Visual Matching 129 6.4 Conclusion 130 References 131 Chapter 7: A Polychrome Wooden Interior from Damascus: A Multi-method Approach for the Identification of Manufacturing Techniques, Materials and Art Historical Background 133 7.1 History of the Room 134 7.2 Description of the Room 136 7.3 Materials and Techniques 139 7.4 Conservation Treatment 148 7.5 Conclusion 149 References 150 Chapter 8: An Original Approach to Active Climate Control Based on Equilibrium Moisture Content (EMC) as Set Point in a Middle-Age Building in Palermo, Italy 152 8.1 Methodological Approach 153 8.2 Microclimate Analysis 155 8.2.1 Analysis of Data Collected by the Sensors Located Under the Ceiling During Winter Months 159 8.2.2 Analysis of Data Collected by the Sensors Located Under the Ceiling During Spring and Summer Months 162 8.2.3 Analysis Concerning the Data Collected by the Sensors Placed Above the Ceiling 165 8.2.4 Conclusive Considerations 167 8.2.5 Choice of the Range of Climate Fluctuations Adopted as Set Points of the New HVAC System 170 8.3 Conclusions 172 References 172 Chapter 9: The Influence of Low Temperature on Moisture Transport and Deformation in Wood: A Neglected Area of Research 174 9.1 Introduction 174 9.2 Review 178 9.2.1 Interaction Between Temperature and MC 178 9.2.2 Temperature’s Influence on Deformation 179 9.2.3 Sub-zero Temperatures 180 9.2.4 The Influence of Low Temperature on Painted Wooden Objects 181 9.2.5 Combined Effects of Low Temperatures and High RH 183 9.3 Discussion 184 References 186 Chapter 10: Conservation and Technological Research of a Polychrome Sculpture of Christ on a Donkey from the Workshop of Michel and Gregor Erhart 191 10.1 Introduction 192 10.2 History of Iconographic Depiction 192 10.3 Construction, Manufacture Technique and the State of Preservation of the Sculpture 194 10.3.1 Methodology of Study 194 10.3.2 Construction and Woodworking 194 10.3.3 Original Ground and Paint Layers 198 10.3.3.1 Ground 198 10.3.3.2 Painting Layer 198 10.3.4 Halo 200 10.3.5 State of Conservation of Original Elements 200 10.4 Previous Conservation, Repairs and Modifications 201 10.4.1 Wood Repairs 201 10.4.2 Secondary Grounds 202 10.4.3 Secondary Painting Layers 202 10.5 Conservation 202 10.6 Conclusion 203 References 204 Chapter 11: Multi-Disciplinary Complex Research to Reconsider Basic Questions on Attribution and Dating of the Last Judgment Triptych from National Museum in Gdańsk by Rogier van der Weyden and Hans Memling 205 11.1 Introduction 206 11.2 Examination of the Wood Support 206 11.2.1 Origin of Timbers 208 11.2.2 Missing Sapwood 208 11.2.3 Sapwood Statistics of the Baltic Oaks 209 11.2.4 Transport and Oak Seasoning 209 11.2.5 Research by Faculty of Conservation of the Academy of Fine Arts, Warsaw 210 11.3 Historical Context 211 11.3.1 Origin of the Panel 211 11.3.2 The Technology and Style of Early Flemish Renaissance Painting 212 11.3.3 The Commissioning of the Triptych 213 11.3.4 Context and History of the Attribution of the Work 214 11.3.4.1 Past Restoration and Early Research 216 11.3.4.2 Previous Instrumental Analytical Studies of the Triptych 216 11.3.5 Recent Studies of Technique, Material and the Multi-Stage Creative Process 222 11.3.6 New Investigations of the Triptych 224 11.3.7 New Information Provided by the MNIR Scanning 224 11.3.7.1 Materials and Technology of the Painting 226 11.4 A New Attribution and Dating of the Triptych 229 11.5 Conclusions 231 References 232 Front Matter ....Pages i-x An Investigation of the Feasibility of the Use of Gels and Emulsions in Cleaning of Gilded Wooden Surfaces. Part A: Removal of Brass-Based Overpainting (Malgorzata Sawicki, Emma Rouse, Sofia Lo Bianco, Seela Kautto)....Pages 1-36 An Investigation of the Feasibility of the Use of Gels and Emulsions in Cleaning of Gilded Wooden Surfaces. Part B: Cleaning of Soiled Oil-Gilding (Malgorzata Sawicki, Emma Rouse, Sofia Lo Bianco, Seela Kautto)....Pages 37-64 New Consolidants for the Conservation of Archeological Wood (Zarah Walsh-Korb, Emma-Rose Janeček, Mark Jones, Luc Averous, Oren A. Scherman)....Pages 65-77 Analytical Examination and Conservation of East Asian Lacquer Works from European Collections (Václav Pitthard, Silvia Miklin-Kniefacz, Sabine Stanek, Martina Griesser)....Pages 79-92 Technology for Technology’s Sake: The Technical Study of Gothic Miniature Boxwood Carvings in the Thomson Collection at the Art Gallery of Ontario (Lisa Ellis, Alexandra Suda, Ronald Martin, Elizabeth Moffatt, Jennifer Poulin, Heidi Sobol et al.)....Pages 93-108 The Use of a Copper Green Oil Paint in the Interiors of Eidsvoll Manor in Norway: Analysis of a Discoloured Architectural Paint from 1814 (Edwin Verweij, Ulrich Schade, Hartmut Kutzke)....Pages 109-122 A Polychrome Wooden Interior from Damascus: A Multi-method Approach for the Identification of Manufacturing Techniques, Materials and Art Historical Background (Petronella Kovács Mravik, Éva Galambos, Zsuzsanna Márton, Ivett Kisapáti, Julia Schultz, Attila Lajos Tóth et al.)....Pages 123-141 An Original Approach to Active Climate Control Based on Equilibrium Moisture Content (EMC) as Set Point in a Middle-Age Building in Palermo, Italy (Paolo Dionisi-Vici, Daniela Romano)....Pages 143-164 The Influence of Low Temperature on Moisture Transport and Deformation in Wood: A Neglected Area of Research (Charlotta Bylund Melin)....Pages 165-181 Conservation and Technological Research of a Polychrome Sculpture of Christ on a Donkey from the Workshop of Michel and Gregor Erhart (Katarzyna Męczyńska, Anna Michnikowska)....Pages 183-196 Multi-Disciplinary Complex Research to Reconsider Basic Questions on Attribution and Dating of the Last Judgment Triptych from National Museum in Gdańsk by Rogier van der Weyden and Hans Memling (Iwona Szmelter, Tomasz Ważny)....Pages 197-226