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Materials science

The art of restoration

Nature volume 431, pages 410–411 (2004)Cite this article

There are various techniques for the restoration of artwork — how effective and safe these are also varies. ‘Reversible’ gels could, however, provide a less risky way to reverse the ravages of time.

The cleaning of paintings is one of the most controversial activities that can be conducted in a museum. Unlike many artefacts, much of the value of a painting (both aesthetic and monetary) depends on its appearance, which in turn depends on the condition of its surface, especially the first few micrometres. The removal of dirt, yellowed varnishes and later overpaint is a critical step in the restoration of a painting, to return it to as close to its original state and appearance as possible. In Langmuir, Carretti et al.1 report the development of ‘rheoreversible’ gels for the removal of non-original layers. These solvent-containing gels can be converted back to a free-flowing fluid state in situ for easier and more complete removal of the cleaning mixture. This work illustrates both the value of applying science to the preservation of artwork and the necessity of understanding the practical problems involved in determining the safety of any restoration technique.

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Figure 1: Brighter future? This fourteenth-century icon, held at the National Gallery of Siena, Italy, has become dulled over time.

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References

  1. Carretti, E., Dei, L., Macherelli, A. & Weiss, R. G. Langmuir doi:10.1021/la0495175 (2004).

  2. Scholten, J. H., Teule, J. M., Zafiropulos, V. & Heeren, R. M. A. J. Cultural Heritage 1, 215–220 (2000).

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  3. Wolbers, R. Cleaning Painted Surfaces, Aqueous Methods (Archetype, London, 2000).

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  1. the Smithsonian Center for Materials Research and Education, Smithsonian Institution, Museum Support Center, 4210 Silver Hill Road, Suitland, 20746-2863, Maryland, USA

    David Erhardt

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  1. David Erhardt
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Erhardt, D. The art of restoration. Nature 431, 410–411 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1038/431410b

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