The identification, approaches to cleaning and removal of a lead-rich salt crust from the surface of an 18th century oil painting
Abstract A thin, grey surface layer was noticed after removing the varnish of an eighteenth century Dutch oil painting, by an unknown artist titled Vision of Saint Lutgard of Tongeren. This layer masked the paint layer almost entirely, casting a greyish veil that greatly influenced the painting’s ap...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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SpringerOpen
2023-04-01
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| Series: | Heritage Science |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40494-023-00925-4 |
| _version_ | 1827961093400559616 |
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| author | Nikita Shah Emilie Froment Kate Seymour |
| author_facet | Nikita Shah Emilie Froment Kate Seymour |
| author_sort | Nikita Shah |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract A thin, grey surface layer was noticed after removing the varnish of an eighteenth century Dutch oil painting, by an unknown artist titled Vision of Saint Lutgard of Tongeren. This layer masked the paint layer almost entirely, casting a greyish veil that greatly influenced the painting’s appearance, colour, and saturation. Using scanning electron microscopy coupled with elemental analysis (SEM–EDX), this layer was identified as a lead-rich salt crust. The crust was a distinct layer on top of the paint layer, closely following the topography of the layer underneath but not embedded in it. The article discusses the possible theories behind the formation of this lead-rich salt crust by characterizing the painting’s material, past treatments, and environmental history. Furthermore, the article reports the decision-making process behind the removal of the crust, focusing specifically on the ethical and technical challenges of the cleaning treatment. Tests with different cleaning agents targeting separate components of the crust to remove it and different application techniques are described. The chelating agent Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) was found to be the most effective in the removal of the crust and was chosen for its removal. The pH of the EDTA cleaning solution and its application had to be modified according to the colour of the paint the crust lay upon. Visual observations and analytical assessments using optical microscopy and SEM after cleaning indicate a successful reduction of the crust resulting in a significant improvement in the painting’s appearance. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-09T16:21:26Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-4903706d4c444001aee4304dbf7b7749 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2050-7445 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-09T16:21:26Z |
| publishDate | 2023-04-01 |
| publisher | SpringerOpen |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Heritage Science |
| spelling | doaj.art-4903706d4c444001aee4304dbf7b77492023-04-23T11:25:12ZengSpringerOpenHeritage Science2050-74452023-04-0111111310.1186/s40494-023-00925-4The identification, approaches to cleaning and removal of a lead-rich salt crust from the surface of an 18th century oil paintingNikita Shah0Emilie Froment1Kate Seymour2Conservation and Restoration Department, University of AmsterdamConservation and Restoration Department, University of AmsterdamStichting Restauratie Atelier LimburgAbstract A thin, grey surface layer was noticed after removing the varnish of an eighteenth century Dutch oil painting, by an unknown artist titled Vision of Saint Lutgard of Tongeren. This layer masked the paint layer almost entirely, casting a greyish veil that greatly influenced the painting’s appearance, colour, and saturation. Using scanning electron microscopy coupled with elemental analysis (SEM–EDX), this layer was identified as a lead-rich salt crust. The crust was a distinct layer on top of the paint layer, closely following the topography of the layer underneath but not embedded in it. The article discusses the possible theories behind the formation of this lead-rich salt crust by characterizing the painting’s material, past treatments, and environmental history. Furthermore, the article reports the decision-making process behind the removal of the crust, focusing specifically on the ethical and technical challenges of the cleaning treatment. Tests with different cleaning agents targeting separate components of the crust to remove it and different application techniques are described. The chelating agent Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) was found to be the most effective in the removal of the crust and was chosen for its removal. The pH of the EDTA cleaning solution and its application had to be modified according to the colour of the paint the crust lay upon. Visual observations and analytical assessments using optical microscopy and SEM after cleaning indicate a successful reduction of the crust resulting in a significant improvement in the painting’s appearance.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40494-023-00925-4Lead-rich salt crustEfflorescenceConservation TreatmentEthylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)CleaningPemulen Gel, NanoRestore gel, SEM–EDX |
| spellingShingle | Nikita Shah Emilie Froment Kate Seymour The identification, approaches to cleaning and removal of a lead-rich salt crust from the surface of an 18th century oil painting Heritage Science Lead-rich salt crust Efflorescence Conservation Treatment Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) Cleaning Pemulen Gel, NanoRestore gel, SEM–EDX |
| title | The identification, approaches to cleaning and removal of a lead-rich salt crust from the surface of an 18th century oil painting |
| title_full | The identification, approaches to cleaning and removal of a lead-rich salt crust from the surface of an 18th century oil painting |
| title_fullStr | The identification, approaches to cleaning and removal of a lead-rich salt crust from the surface of an 18th century oil painting |
| title_full_unstemmed | The identification, approaches to cleaning and removal of a lead-rich salt crust from the surface of an 18th century oil painting |
| title_short | The identification, approaches to cleaning and removal of a lead-rich salt crust from the surface of an 18th century oil painting |
| title_sort | identification approaches to cleaning and removal of a lead rich salt crust from the surface of an 18th century oil painting |
| topic | Lead-rich salt crust Efflorescence Conservation Treatment Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) Cleaning Pemulen Gel, NanoRestore gel, SEM–EDX |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40494-023-00925-4 |
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