Assessment of plastics in the National Trust: a case study at Mr Straw's House

The National Trust is a charity that cares for over 300 publically accessible historic buildings and their contents across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. There have been few previous studies on preservation of plastics within National Trust collections, which form a significant part of the more modern collections of objects. This paper describes the design of an assessment system which was successfully trialled at Mr Straws House, a National Trust property in Worksop, UK. This system can now be used for future plastic surveys at other National Trust properties. In addition, the survey gave valuable information about the state of the collection, demonstrating that the plastics that are deteriorating are those that are known to be vulnerable, namely cellulose nitrate/acetate, PVC and rubber. Verifying this knowledge of the most vulnerable plastics enables us to recommend to properties across National Trust that these types should be seen as a priority for correct storage and in-depth recording

6th International Meeting on Retouching of Cultural Heritage, RECH6

RECH Biennial Meeting is one of the largest educational and scientific events in Retouching field, an ideal venue for conservators and scientists to present their research results about retouching. The main focus will be to promote the exchange of ideas, concepts, terminology, methods, techniques and materials applied during the retouching process in different areas of conservation: mural painting, easel painting, sculpture, graphic documentation, architecture, plasterwork, photography, contemporary art, among others. This Meeting aims to address retouching by encouraging papers that contribute to a deeper understanding of this final task of the conservation and restoration intervention. The main theme embraces the concepts of retouching, the criteria and limits in the retouching process, the bad retouching impact on heritage and their technical and scientific developments.This Meeting will discuss real-life approaches on retouching, focusing on practical solutions and on sharing experiencesColomina Subiela, A.; Doménech García, B.; Bailão, A. (2023). 6th International Meeting on Retouching of Cultural Heritage, RECH6. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/RECH6.2021.1601

TECHNART 2017. Non-destructive and microanalytical techniques in art and cultural heritage. Book of abstracts

440 p.TECHNART2017 is the international biannual congress on the application of Analytical Techniques in Art and Cultural Heritage. The aim of this European conference is to provide a scientific forum to present and promote the use of analytical spectroscopic techniques in cultural heritage on a worldwide scale to stimulate contacts and exchange experiences, making a bridge between science and art. This conference builds on the momentum of the previous TECHNART editions of Lisbon, Athens, Berlin, Amsterdam and Catania, offering an outstanding and unique opportunity for exchanging knowledge on leading edge developments. Cultural heritage studies are interpreted in a broad sense, including pigments, stones, metal, glass, ceramics, chemometrics on artwork studies, resins, fibers, forensic applications in art, history, archaeology and conservation science. The meeting is focused in different aspects: - X-ray analysis (XRF, PIXE, XRD, SEM-EDX). - Confocal X-ray microscopy (3D Micro-XRF, 3D Micro-PIXE). - Synchrotron, ion beam and neutron based techniques/instrumentation. - FT-IR and Raman spectroscopy. - UV-Vis and NIR absorption/reflectance and fluorescence. - Laser-based analytical techniques (LIBS, etc.). - Magnetic resonance techniques. - Chromatography (GC, HPLC) and mass spectrometry. - Optical imaging and coherence techniques. - Mobile spectrometry and remote sensing

Conservation Tools, Protocols and Treatments on Painted Surfaces, Metal Leaves and Finishes in Cultural Heritage

Conservation of painted surfaces, metal leaves, and finishes requires a deep knowledge of both the materials themselves and the supports and the interaction phenomena occurring among them. Superficial treatments, operations, and materials adopted during the conservation intervention can modify the complex system of existing interactions. Therefore, it is fundamental to predict possible induced changes of the chemical-physical properties of the systems. This Special Issue aims at contributing to the definition of the state-of-the-art in the approach to conservation problems of painted surfaces, metal leaves, and finishes. In particular, the topic of interest includes but is not limited to: Methodological approaches for the conservation treatments of the painted surfaces, metal leaves, and finishes; Analytical tools and protocols for the validation of the treatment efficacy and recognizability; Analytical tools for the characterization of surface materials and their decay processes; New materials and treatments

Microorganisms in the Deterioration and Preservation of Cultural Heritage

This open access book offers a comprehensive overview of the role and potential of microorganisms in the degradation and preservation of cultural materials (e.g. stone, metals, graphic documents, textiles, paintings, glass, etc.). Microorganisms are a major cause of deterioration in cultural artefacts, both in the case of outdoor monuments and archaeological finds. This book covers the microorganisms involved in biodeterioration and control methods used to reduce their impact on cultural artefacts. Additionally, the reader will learn more about how microorganisms can be used for the preservation and protection of cultural artefacts through bio-based and eco-friendly materials. New avenues for developing methods and materials for the conservation of cultural artefacts are discussed, together with concrete advances in terms of sustainability, effectiveness and toxicity, making the book essential reading for anyone interested in microbiology and the preservation of cultural heritage

Development of analytical methods for the characterization of tempera paintings at micro- and nano-scale and their deterioration and biodeterioration processes

Egg (the whole, the yolk or the white) is a natural product used since ancient times as tempera painting medium mainly in Europe and the Mediterranean Basin countries. In addition, egg is a complex multicomponent microstructured system susceptible of being influenced by the pigments that compose the paints, as well as a source of nutrient susceptible of biodeterioration. Modifying effect of artists' pigments on the binding medium as well as, the microbial biodeterioration are responsible for changes in the structure and composition of the binding medium and, consequently, on the physico-chemical properties of the paint. For this purpose, analytical techniques such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy - attenuated total reflection (FTIR-ATR) was used for the chemical characterization, Field emission scanning microscopy (FESEM) and Atomic force microscopy - nanoindentation (AFM-nanoindentation) were run for morphological and mechanical characterization of the deterioration processes resulted from the pigment-binder interactions involved in tempera painting. On the other hand, the current research report the application of the voltammetry of microparticles (VMP), complemented with FTIR-ATR, FESEM and AFM-nanoindentation techniques to monitor the deterioration of a series of tempera reconstructed model paint specimens under the action of different biological agents. This methodology would be of application for identifying the type of biological agent causing deterioration of painting, which is an important problem affecting cultural heritage. The analysis of biodeterioration processes is complicated by the fact that the action of microorganisms can affect both pigment and binding media. The deterioration of pictorial specimens by Acremonium chrysogenum, Aspergillus niger, Mucor rouxii, Penicillium chrysogenum and Trichoderma pseudokoningii fungi and Arthrobacter oxydans, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and Streptomyces cellulofans bacteria was tested using sample-modified graphite electrodes immersed into aqueous electrolytes. Finally, the study carried out by means of FTIR-ATR, FESEM and AFM-nanoindentation confirms that egg proteins attached to the pigment grains changes their secondary structures. The results obtained also confirm that proteins and phospholipids are prevalently established linkages with the solid particles of pigment whereas triglycerides should be integrated in the complex binding network responsible for the cohesion of the paint film. Interactions between egg components with solid pigment particles are described and correlated with micromorphology and mechanical properties determined at micro- and nano-scale on the reconstructed model paint specimens. As a result of the crossing of VMP data with the results obtained by means of FTIR, FESEM and AFM-nanoindentation, the voltammetric signals obtained were associated to the electrochemical reduction of pigments and different complexes associated to the binding media. These results were particularly relevant in the study of biodeterioration, to allowing the electrochemical monitoring of biological attack.El huevo (entero, yema o clara) es un producto natural utilizado desde la antigüedad como medio aglutinante en la pintura al temple, principalmente en Europa y los países de la cuenca mediterránea. Además, el huevo es un complejo sistema multicomponente microestructurado susceptible de ser alterado por los pigmentos que componen las pinturas, así como fuente de nutrientes susceptible de biodeterioro. El efecto de los pigmentos sobre el medio aglutinante, así como el biodeterioro microbiano son responsables de cambios en la estructura y composición del medio aglutinante y, por consiguiente, en las propiedades fisicoquímicas de la pintura. Es por esto que, se utilizaron técnicas analíticas como la Espectroscopía Infrarroja por Transformada de Fourier en modo Reflexión Total Atenuada (FTIR-ATR), para la caracterización química de los procesos de deterioro resultantes de las interacciones pigmento-aglutinante en la pintura al temple. Así mismo, se utilizó Microscopía Electrónica de Emisión de Barrido (FESEM) para el estudio morfológico de las muestras, y para el estudio de las propiedades mecánicas Microscopía de Fuerza Atómica en modo Nanoindentación (AFM-nanoindentación). Por otro lado, la presente investigación propone el uso de la Voltamperometría de Micropartículas (VMP), en conjunto con otras técnicas de análisis como FTIR-ATR, FESEM y AFM-nanoindentación para el estudio del biodeterioro producido por hongos y bacterias sobre una serie muestras pictóricas sometidas. El estudio de las alteraciones causadas por el biodeterioro es complicado por el hecho de que la acción de los microorganismos puede afectar tanto al pigmento como al medio aglutinante. Para esto, se prepararon una serie de muestras de pinturas al temple y emulsión que fueron inoculadas con los hongos Acremonium chrysogenum, Aspergillus niger, Mucor rouxii, Penicillium chrysogenum, y Trichoderma pseudokoningii, y las bacterias Arthrobacter oxydans, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens y Streptomyces cellulofans. El estudio voltamperometrico se realizó utilizando electrodos de grafito modificados con las muestras inmersos en un electrolito acuoso. Las conclusiones obtenidas de manera general, apuntan a que las proteínas presentes en el huevo cambian su estructura secundaria al adherirse a los granos de pigmento. La información química, morfológica y mecánica obtenida por las diferentes técnicas de análisis instrumental es consistente. Finalmente, como resultado del cruce de los datos VMP con los resultados obtenidos mediante FTIR, FESEM y AFM-nanoindentación, las señales voltamperometricas obtenidas se asociaron a la reducción electroquímica de los pigmentos y a los complejos formados con el medio aglutinante. Estos resultados fueron particularmente relevantes en el estudio del biodeterioro de las películas pictóricas inoculadas, para permitir la monitorización electroquímica del ataque microbiológico.L'ou (sencer, rovell o clara) és un producte natural utilitzat des de l'antiguitat com a mitjà aglutinant en la pintura al tremp, principalment a Europa i els països de la conca mediterrània. A més, l'ou és un complex sistema multicomponent MICROESTRUCTURAT susceptible de ser alterat pels pigments que componen les pintures, així com a font de nutrients susceptible de biodeterioració. L'efecte dels pigments sobre el medi aglutinant, així com el BIODETERIORI microbià són responsables de canvis en l'estructura i composició del medi aglutinant i, per tant, en les propietats fisicoquímiques de la pintura. És per això que, es van utilitzar tècniques analítiques com l'Espectroscòpia Infraroja per Transformada de Fourier en mode Reflexió Total Atenuada (FTIR-ATR), per a la caracterització química dels processos de deteriorament resultants de les interaccions pigment-aglutinant en la pintura al tremp. Així mateix, es va utilitzar Microscòpia Electrònica d'emissió de Rastreig (FESEM) per a l'estudi morfològic de les mostres, i per a l'estudi de les propietats mecàniques Microscòpia de Força Atòmica en mode Nanoindentació (AFM-nanoindentació). D'altra banda, la present investigació proposa l'ús de la Voltamperometría de Micropartícules (VMP), en conjunt amb altres tècniques d'anàlisi, com FTIR-ATR, FESEM i AFM-nanoindentació per a l'estudi de l'biodeterioració produït per fongs i bacteris sobre una sèrie de mostres pictòriques sotmeses. L'estudi de les alteracions causades pel biodeteriori és complicat pel fet que l'acció dels microorganismes pot afectar tant el pigment com al medi aglutinant. Per això, es van preparar una sèrie de mostres de pintures al tremp i emulsió que van ser inoculades amb els fongs Acremonium chrysogenum, Aspergillus niger, Mucor rouxii, Penicillium chrysogenum, i Trichoderma pseudokoningii i els bacteris Arthrobacter oxydans, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens i Streptomyces cellulofans. L'estudi voltamperomètric es va realitzar utilitzant electrodes de grafit modificats amb les mostres immersos en un electròlit aquós. Les conclusions obtingudes de manera general, apunten que les proteïnes presents en l'ou canvien la seva estructura secundària al adherir-se als grans de pigment. La informació química, morfològica i mecànica obtinguda per les diferents tècniques d'anàlisi instrumental és consistent. Finalment, com a resultat de l'encreuament de les dades VMP amb els resultats obtinguts mitjançant FTIR, FESEM i AFM-nanoindentació, els senyals voltamperomètrics obtinguts es van associar a la reducció electroquímica dels pigments i als complexos formats amb el medi aglutinant. Aquests resultats van ser particularment rellevants en l'estudi del biodeteriori de les pel·lícules pictòriques inoculades, per tal de permetre la monitorització electroquímica de l'atac microbiològic.Ortiz Miranda, A. (2017). Development of analytical methods for the characterization of tempera paintings at micro- and nano-scale and their deterioration and biodeterioration processes [Tesis doctoral no publicada]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/90571TESI

Ztracená média: Sběratelství a archivace artefaktů digitální éry

Archival theory and practice still tend to hierarchize between audiovisual artefacts worth preserving and those that are not, and the increasing amount of images, screens, and interfaces in the digital sphere has only broadened the number of objects that risk disappearing without a trace. One of these lost audiovisual objects is the star wipe, a type of film transition that connects two images or sequences through a wipe in the shape of a star. Despite the excessive character of the star wipe, the editing gesture is no longer to be found in the current audiovisual field. Which leads us to a question: how to archive something that does not have a material substance, that exists only as a connection of two or more images? To postulate a sufficient answer, we need to create a theoretical perspective that views and understands digital artefacts as archivable. Through the figure of the fetishistic collector, based on Walter Benjamin's (1969) articulation of collecting, we aim to offer means for understanding the star wipe as a challenge to the prevailing epistemological biases of the archival world against immaterial, ephemeral, hybrid, and supposedly "low-brow" cultural elements.Archivní teorie a praxe stále mají tendenci hierarchizovat audiovizuální artefakty na ty, které stojí za to uchovávat, a na ty, které za to nestojí. Rostoucí množství obrazů, obrazovek a rozhraní v digitální sféře jen rozšířilo počet objektů, u nichž hrozí, že zmizí beze stopy. Jedním z těchto ztracených audiovizuálních objektů je prolínačka hvězdou, typ filmového přechodu, který spojuje dva obrazy nebo sekvence pomocí prolínačky ve tvaru hvězdy. Navzdory své viditelnost se toto střihové gesto již nevyskytuje v současné audiovizuální oblasti. Což nás vede k otázce: jak archivovat něco, co nemá hmotnou podstatu, co existuje pouze jako spojení dvou nebo více obrazů? Abychom na tuto otázku odpověděli, musíme vytvořit perspektivu, která onen digitální artefakt chápe jako archivovatelný. Prostřednictvím postavy fetišistického sběratele, vycházející Waltera Benjamina (1969) a jeho reflexe sběratelství, se snažíme nabídnout prostředky pro chápání prolínačky hvězdou, která je výzvou pro převládající epistemologické předsudky archivního světa vůči nehmotným, efemérním, hybridním a údajně "nízkým" kulturním prvkům.Institute of Information Studies and Librarianship - New Media StudiesÚstav informačních studií - studia nových médiíFilozofická fakultaFaculty of Art

Nuclear Physics for Cultural Heritage

Nuclear physics applications in medicine and energy are well known and widely reported. Less well known are the many important nuclear and related techniques used for the study, characterization, assessment and preservation of cultural heritage. There has been enormous progress in this field in recent years and the current review aims to provide the public with a popular and accessible account of this work. The Nuclear Physics Division of the EPS represents scientists from all branches of nuclear physics across Europe. One of its aims is the dissemination of knowledge about nuclear physics and its applications. This review is led by Division board member Anna Macková, Head of the Tandetron Laboratory at the Nuclear Physics Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences, and the review committee includes four other members of the nuclear physics board interested in this area: Faiçal Azaiez, Johan Nyberg, Eli Piasetzky and Douglas MacGregor. To create a truly authoritative account, the Scientific Editors have invited contributions from leading experts across Europe, and this publication is the combined result of their work. The review is extensively illustrated with important discoveries and examples from archaeology, pre-history, history, geography, culture, religion and curation, which underline the breadth and importance of this field. The large number of groups and laboratories working in the study and preservation of cultural heritage across Europe indicate the enormous effort and importance attached by society to this activity

Aiding the conservation of two wooden Buddhist sculptures with 3D imaging and spectroscopic techniques

The conservation of Buddhist sculptures that were transferred to Europe at some point during their lifetime raises numerous questions: while these objects historically served a religious, devotional purpose, many of them currently belong to museums or private collections, where they are detached from their original context and often adapted to western taste. A scientific study was carried out to address questions from Museo d'Arte Orientale of Turin curators in terms of whether these artifacts might be forgeries or replicas, and how they may have transformed over time. Several analytical techniques were used for materials identification and to study the production technique, ultimately aiming to discriminate the original materials from those added within later interventions