BALL STATE UNIVERSITY

APRIL 26, 2010

Kathleen RyanAnthropology 377: Museum Studies

Conservation and Restoration of Works of Art and Antiquities –

Volume 1

Hermann Kuhn

Butterworths1986

Page Count: 235

Thesis

Part I: Works of Art and Antiquities

Part II: Environment

Part III: Material Science

Thesis

Part I: Works of Art and Antiquities

Part II: Environment

Part III: Material Science

Easel PaintingsWood SculptureFurniturePrints and DrawingsWatercolorsBooksPapyrus and

Inscribed BarkTextiles

Ivory and BoneObjects made of

LeatherObjects made of

AmberObjects made of

WaxObjects made of

Tortoiseshell and Horn

Part I: Works of Art and Antiquities

Part 1: Easel Paintings

The Support

Treatment and restoration of the support

Part 1: Easel Paintings

Canvas Supports

Part 1: Easel Paintings

The Paint Layers and Damage

Types of Damage and Examination Methods

Part II: Environment

Climatic Conditions Temperature Humidity

LightPollution

Atmospheric pollution

Temperature Humidity

High temperatures speed up chemical processes of aging

Fungi, bacteria and insects favor higher temperatures

Sudden or extreme temperature changes can damage works

As temperature increases, the amount of water vapor needed to saturate the air increases

Hygroscopic organic materials absorb and release moisture until equal to that of their environment

Climatic Conditions

Part 2: Temperature and Humidity

Destructive effects of light

Ultraviolet Radiation

Limitation of lighting

Part 2: Light

Atmospheric pollutants: Cleaning the Air

Sulfur dioxideHydrogen sulfide AmmoniaNitrogen oxidesOzoneCarbon monoxideDust and soot

Water spraysElectrostatic

precipitatorsCyclone

precipitatorsAir intakeRecirculation

Part 2: Atmospheric Pollution

AmberBinding Media,

AdhesivesIvory, bone, AntlerPigments and DyesLeatherSolventsPaper

PapyrusParchmentPearls, and BeadsTortoiseshell and

HornSoap and Synthetic

DetergentsTextile FibersWax

Part III: Material Science

Binding Media and Adhesives

Binding media and adhesives have similar compositions

Divided into groups based on: Origin (i.e. animal, vegetable, mineral or synthetic) Composition (oils, resins, proteins etc.,) Whether they are soluble in water or organic solvents How they dry or harden (there are 5 distinctions for

this)

Different Types of Binding Media and Adhesives

OilsNatural ResinsWaxSynthetic MaterialsProteinsPlant GumsStarch, Dextrin, Flour

Professional Use and Others

Explains the foundation of terms, methods, materials, scientific examination and other concerns in conservation and restoration. Helps amateurs understanding of treatment and care

of works Not “do it yourself” step-by-step information!

Warns against untrained alterations of original objects To inform professional conservator on available

treatments

In Conclusion

Part I: Works of Art and AntiquitiesPart II: EnvironmentPart III: Material ScienceProfessional use and use of othersQuestions?