Collaborative study between chemistry and art of environmental considerations in art preservation

CHED 1745

Jane A. Ganske, jane.ganske@pepperdine.edu1, Joseph Piasentin, joseph.piasentin@pepperdine.edu2, Mark Roosa, Mark.Roosa@pepperdine.edu3, Cassondra Tinsley2, John Laubacher1, and Joshua Dildine2. (1) Department of Chemistry, Pepperdine University, 24255 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90263, (2) Fine Arts Division, Pepperdine University, 24255 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90263, (3) Dean of Libraries, Pepperdine University, 24255 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90263
The boundaries of specific disciplines must broaden for a complete understanding of many research topics. For example, in the preservation/restoration of artwork, teams of scientists, artists and historians work together to understand the materials used in the work and their aging. Here we report a collaborative undergraduate research project between painting, art conservation and chemistry, which was undertaken to achieve a broader understanding of factors involved in the creation of an oil-based wall painting by an artist, the environmental parameters contributing to its aging, and the development of a long-term preservation plan for its display. In addition to the creation of a wall painting, the painting phase included the duplication of ten panels of one of the sections of the painting for the testing of environmental parameters by the chemists. Visible and infrared absorption/reflectance spectroscopy was used to monitor the aging effects of exposure to visible light, heat, ozone, and humidity. Quantitative exposure study results were shared with the artists so that they could best choose the materials for their works. The preventative conservation phase developed by the conservationists included monitoring and stabilizing the environment where the wall painting will be displayed.

 

Broadening Participation in Undergraduate Research
1:30 PM-4:05 PM, Wednesday, March 28, 2007 McCormick Place North -- Room N227B, Level 2, Oral

Division of Chemical Education

The 233rd ACS National Meeting, Chicago, IL, March 25-29, 2007