Paintings In The Laboratory Scientific Examination For Art History And Conservation

This book is a collection of scientific papers written over 30 years by Karin Groen on aspects of the painting of Rembrandt, Frans Hals, Leyster, Vermeer, Van Gogh etc. The author tracks the historical development of the application of scientific techniques in research into artists techniques and materials and examines phenomena such as the changing of green pigments to blue, the use of red in preparatory layers, binding media, blanching and organic pigments. Contents: In memoriam: Karin Groen Introduction: Perspectives on the evolution of science for art history and conservation, and its current state Part I - Grounds and binding media Chapter 1 - Halcyon days for art history Chapter 2 - Grounds in Rembrandt's workshop and in paintings by his contemporaries Chapter 3 - Earth Matters. The origin of the material used for the preparation of the Night Watch and many other canvases in Rembrandt's workshop after 1640 Chapter 4 - In the beginning there was red Chapter 5 - Investigation of the use of the binding medium by Rembrandt. Chemical analysis and theology Part II - Changing colours Chapter 6 - Towards identification of brown discolouration on green paint Chapter 7 - Towards identification of brown discolouration on green paint revisited Chapter 8 - The foliage tends almost to blue Chapter 9 - Scanning electron-microscopy as an aid in the study of blanching Part III - Study of painting techniques Chapter 10 - Frans Hals: a technical examination (Co-author: Ella Hendriks) Chapter 11 - Judith Leyster: a technical examination of her work (Co-author: Ella Hendriks) Chapter 12 - Scientific examination of Vermeer's Girl with the Pearl Earring (Co-authors: Inez van der Werf, Klaas Jan van den Berg and Jaap J. Boon) Summary Samenvatting Bibliography Acknowlegdements

Bridging the fields of conservation, art history, and museum curating, this volume contains the principal papers from an international symposium titled "Historical Painting Techniques, Materials, and Studio Practice" at the University of Leiden in Amsterdam, Netherlands, from June 26 to 29, 1995. The symposium—designed for art historians, conservators, conservation scientists, and museum curators worldwide—was organized by the Department of Art History at the University of Leiden and the Art History Department of the Central Research Laboratory for Objects of Art and Science in Amsterdam. Twenty-five contributors representing museums and conservation institutions throughout the world provide recent research on historical painting techniques, including wall painting and polychrome sculpture. Topics cover the latest art historical research and scientific analyses of original techniques and materials, as well as historical sources, such as medieval treatises and descriptions of painting techniques in historical literature. Chapters include the painting methods of Rembrandt and Vermeer, Dutch 17th-century landscape painting, wall paintings in English churches, Chinese paintings on paper and canvas, and Tibetan thangkas. Color plates and black-and-white photographs illustrate works from the Middle Ages to the 20th century.

This prize-winning book offers the only comprehensive discussion available on materials, techniques, and condition issues in Western easel paintings from medieval times to the present. “An essential handbook for the pro, and also a beautifully illustrated primer for the layperson. Kirsh and Levenson teach the most valuable lessons about painting of all: how meanings, material, and techniques are bound up together.”—John Walsh, former director, J. Paul Getty Museum “Every element of Kirsh and Levenson's book is smart, concise, and informative. . . . [It is] the essential book on its subject.”—Kenneth Baker, San Francisco Examiner & Chronicle “A long overdue book with direct relevance for modern students of the history of art.”—Libby Sheldon, Burlington Magazine

Conservation of Easel Paintings, Second Edition provides a much-anticipated update to the previous edition, which has come to be known internationally as an invaluable and comprehensive text on the history, philosophy and methods of the treatment of easel paintings. Including 49 chapters written by more than 90 respected authors from around the world, this volume offers the necessary background knowledge in technical art history, artists’ materials and scientific methods of examination and documentation. Later sections of the book provide information about the varying approaches and methods for treatment and issues of preventive conservation, as well as valuable reflections on storage, shipping, and exhibition. Including exciting developments that have taken place since the last edition was published, the book also covers new techniques of examination, especially MacroXRF scanning and Reflectance Transmission Imagery. Drawing on research presented at recent professional conferences, information about innovative methods for cleaning modern and contemporary paintings and insights into modern oil paints is also included. Incorporating the latest regulations and understanding of health and safety practices and integrating theory with practice throughout, Conservation of Easel Paintings, Second Edition will continue to be an indispensable reference for practicing conservators. It will also be an essential resource for students taking conservation courses around the world.

A series of case studies to show how the cooperation between science and humanities can lead to the developments in knowledge and conservation of paintings.

"This volume will be of interest to teachers and students of conservation and art history, as well as to practicing conservators and museum curators, professionals in related disciplines, and others interested in art history and paintings conservation."--BOOK JACKET.

Science and art are increasingly interconnected in the activities of the study and conservation of works of art. Science plays a key role in cultural heritage, from developing new analytical techniques for studying the art, to investigating new ways of preserving the materials for the future. Following on from the 2014 title Science and Art: The Painted Surface, this book consists of a series of chapters written together by scientists, art historians, conservators, curators and artists dedicated to conservation, execution techniques, languages and conceptual topics. Science and Art: The Contemporary Painted Surface largely covers execution techniques, material’s conservation and languages of artists, representative of twelve different countries, all protagonists of the development of innovative significant techniques and methodologies. The book opens with a focus on widely historicized artists, such as Jackson Pollock, Lucio Fontana, Enrico Baj, Piero Manzoni and Joseph Albers. Its core is dedicated to the work of major worldwide renowned living artists, in a perspective that, while considering the Sixties as the historical starting point of contemporaneity, does not neglect to offer a view on the work done in the immediately preceding years. Several interviews with artists are included. Final chapters are dedicated to contemporary design, net art, and painted surfaces in contemporary architecture. Presented in an easily readable form for a large audience, the book guides readers into new areas uncovered by the link between science and art, and will be of interest to artists, art historians and curators, as well as those who appreciate art. Reviews of Science and Art: The Painted Surface 'Science and Art provides an excellent read for art historians, who will instantly recognise the famous pieces that have been studied, while giving them insight into how a painting was constructed, what it is made from, or how the colours would have looked when they were freshly painted.' Chemistry World, 6 November 2014 'Science and Art is recommended for students, teachers, and the general public who are interested in chemistry or other sciences and art, as well as applications of the former to the latter.' J. Chem. Educ., 2016, 93(5), 810–810