Deterioration Of Paintings Research Articles

Effects of Drifting Sand Particles on Deterioration of Mural Paintings on the East Wall of Cave 285 in Mogao Caves, Dunhuang

The Mogao caves, which are designated as a World Heritage site, house the remains of one of the largest collections of Buddhist mural paintings. The cave investigated in this study is cave 285, which has paintings on the walls and ceiling. The purpose of this research is to identify the causes for the deterioration of the paintings, particularly on the east wall. Emphasis is placed on collision and adhesion of sand particles driven by the wind into the cave as a candidate cause of deterioration on the east wall.

Effects of Color Pigments on the Hanji Deterioration

ABSTRACT This study was carried out to analyze deterioration ch aracteristics of color-pigm ents painted Hanji to pre-serve and restore the cultural properties. On the tradi tional painting technique, glue was used with pig-ments in various ways for painting, but it eventually caused the deterioration of paintings. Thus, five col-ors were selected and analyzed for this study for inve stigating their characteristics of deteriration. Three kinds of glues (Wugyo, Nokgyo, and Togyo) and two kinds of pigments (Chinese and Gilsang) were painted on the Hanji for the accelerated aging test. And then color fastness of pigments and tensile strength of painted Hanji were measured for the estimation of deterioration degree. The results of SEM-EDS showed that Chinese pigments including blue, yellow, green, and red were composed of in-organic substances but the brown was organic substance. Gilsang pigments were composed mainly of Si and Ti ions. Color fastness of the Gilsang pigment blue, yellow, green, and brown were better than those of Chinese. Chinese pigment brown with organic substance showed the worst color fastness. Generally, Chinese pigments painted Hanji showed higher tensile strength than Gilsang in the accel-erated aging test. Hanji treated with Chinese pigment and Nokgyo (antler glue) blends and Gilsang pig-ment and Togyo (rabbit pelt glue) blends showed higher tensile strength than the others. And Andong Hanji showed the highest tensile strength.

Automatic detection of zebra crossings from mobile LiDAR data

Abstract An algorithm for the automatic detection of zebra crossings from mobile LiDAR data is developed and tested to be applied for road management purposes. The algorithm consists of several subsequent processes starting with road segmentation by performing a curvature analysis for each laser cycle. Then, intensity images are created from the point cloud using rasterization techniques, in order to detect zebra crossing using the Standard Hough Transform and logical constrains. To optimize the results, image processing algorithms are applied to the intensity images from the point cloud. These algorithms include binarization to separate the painting area from the rest of the pavement, median filtering to avoid noisy points, and mathematical morphology to fill the gaps between the pixels in the border of white marks. Once the road marking is detected, its position is calculated. This information is valuable for inventorying purposes of road managers that use Geographic Information Systems. The performance of the algorithm has been evaluated over several mobile LiDAR strips accounting for a total of 30 zebra crossings. That test showed a completeness of 83%. Non-detected marks mainly come from painting deterioration of the zebra crossing or by occlusions in the point cloud produced by other vehicles on the road.

The effects of temperature and pH bacterial degradation of latex paint in humid environment

The goal of this study was to integrate the activities of paint deterioration of microbial communities (microcosms) on the basis of environmental factors. The effect of temperature and pH on bacterial degradation of latex paint under humid condition by bacterial isolates was studied. Results obtained revealed that paint industrial waste (PIW) and paint film scrap (PFS) contained approximately 28.2% to 37.3% of dry organic content (DOC), pH 6.6 to 8.3, optical density (OD) 2.5 to 3.9 and undetermined amount of Ca2+, Na+, K+, SO4 2- and NO3-. Thirteen (13) isolates were obtained from PIW and fifty two (52) from PFS. The main heterotrophic count ranged from 8.7 to 9.4 × 108 cfuml-1 for PIW and 3.4 to 6.8 × 106 cfuml-1 for PFS. The bacterial genera and their percentage occurance for PIW and PFS were: Pseudomonas (40:32%), Bacillus (26:44%), Norcadia (9:6%), Streptomyces (0:6%), Alcaligenes (11:3%), Micrococcus (14:7%) and Flavobacterium (0:27%) respectively. The organisms exhibited various degree of paint degradation under different temperature and pH points. Pseudomonas demonstrated the highest rate of degradation at pH 7.4 and the lowest at pH 4.2. Bacillus had its highest rate at pH 6.3 and lowest at pH 3.5 while that of Micrococcus occurred at pH 4.2 and 8.1 respectively. Equally, Pseudomonas and Bacillus had double peaks of degradation at 28oc and 40oc while that of Micrococcus occurred only at 40oc. However, 28oc and 40oc are considered optimal and maximal temperature for biodegradation of paint. Also, the effect of pH and temperature was independent and insignificance at P < 0.05. The study therefore, indicated that paint and painted surfaces (objects) can be preserved from bacterial contamination, deterioration and degradation by controlling the storing pH and temperature.KEYWORDS: Paint, temperature, pH, biodegradation, significance.

Zinc oxide-centred deterioration in 20thcentury Vietnamese paintings by Nguyễ Trọng Kiệm (1933–1991)

Zinc oxide-centred deterioration in 20^thcentury Vietnamese paintings by Nguyễ Trọng Kiệm (1933–1991)

퍼지분석을 통한 공공임대주택 외부 도장공사의 노후화 분석에 관한 기초적 연구

Recently the concern with high quality rental house has been growing. However, some problems of defective rental house remain unsettled. Especially, the repair and maintenance cost are occurring at the crack repairing and external painting work. The purpose of this paper is to study on a survey with practicing professionals and a field research regarding to public rental house. All data was collected by the survey which was carried out to practicing professionals in 8 different major areas and direct field research from diagnosis group. From the result of the survey, we found out external painting deterioration is ongoing very fast. In contrast, the result from direct field research shows external painting deterioration is still in good condition.

Variance in paint maintenance frequency in tropical salty environment

Purpose – Paint that is used as exterior finish is subject to the stresses of the climate. The factors of climate such as sun and rain are major source of quick deterioration of paint. The existence of saline air and endogenic salt in substrates in any environment will increase the rate of failure and frequency of repainting of building exterior wall. The purpose of this paper is to ascertain the difference in the frequency of repainting of exterior surface of buildings in areas at close proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and the hinterland. Design/methodology/approach – The research adopted a survey method that involved the administration of structured questionnaire on 384 respondents to elicit data for analysis. SPSS 15.0 software was used to analyse the data. The study area is divided into two zones. Findings – Paint of the same quality from the same manufacturer is found to perform differently. All defects that are caused by salt attack occur earlier in Zone B than Zone A. The frequency of repainting (maintenance) in Zone A is two years due to direct contact with the Atlantic Ocean and Zone B is four years because of the distance from the ocean. Practical implications – This study enlightens the stakeholders in the building industry in the preparation of maintenance schedule for buildings in salty environment. It will also assist the architects in decision making during specifications of exterior finishes in such environments. The maintenance challenges of paint that is applied as exterior finish in salty environment is made clear. Originality/value – It is a novel search into understanding the maintenance frequency of paint that is applied as exterior finish of buildings in areas with direct and indirect contact to salt attack.

Predicting Hygrothermal Behavior of an Underground Stone Chamber with 3-D Modeling to Restrain Water-Related Damage to Mural Paintings

Cultural properties are variously influenced by their surrounding environmental conditions. One of the reasons for the deterioration of mural paintings in the Takamatsuzuka Tumulus was the humid microclimate on their surface. In order to control the deterioration of mural paintings caused by such problems, it is important to investigate the environmental factors from various aspects, such as the temperature, humidity, water content of cultural properties, wetting and drying cycles and so on. As for the research concerning hygrothermal behavior on mural paintings, these variables may not be thoroughly predicted by 1-D or 2-D for determination of the location and degree of the deterioration of mural paintings. This paper shows how a 3-D hygrothermal model developed with a view to analyzing the preservation measures that allow quantifying of the degree of drying and condensing processes occurred on the surfaces of the underground chamber. The findings show that for the purpose of preserving mural paintings within the underground chamber, the temperature difference between the surrounding mound and the protected object should be kept as constant as can be practically achieved. This method is applicable for estimating the effects of preservation measures for the conservation of other mural paintings.

岩画和壁画类文物微生物病害的研究进展

古代岩画和壁画是人类文明发展历史进程的重要记录，具有极高的历史价值、艺术价值及科学价值，但他们无时无刻不受到环境因素引起的物理、化学及生物的劣化作用。近年，有关微生物对古代岩/壁画的危害逐渐受到关注。阐述了世界一些著名的岩/壁画文物的微生物的研究进展，如法国拉斯科洞穴岩画（Lascaux Cave）、西班牙阿尔塔米拉洞穴岩画（Altamira Cave）、敦煌石窟壁画、嘉峪关魏晋墓壁画以及我国东北地区公元5世纪的墓葬壁画等。通过对以上所述岩画和壁画微生物群落的分析比较，发现主要的细菌群落是变形菌门和放线菌门，放线菌门以假诺卡氏菌为主。真菌群落主要以虫生真菌为主。进一步分析了岩画和壁画微生物病害的共性和区别，揭示了洞穴、墓室等特殊环境下的微生物群落特点，为防治古代岩/壁画微生物病害提供了以下借鉴。;Ancient cave and wall paintings are important records of human civilization, with great historical, artistic and scientific value, however they are commonly affected by physical, chemical and biological deterioration. In recent years, the issue of microbial deterioration in ancient cave and wall paintings has received more attention. This paper summarizes the research progress on the effect of microbes on famous cave and wall paintings throughout the world, such as the Lascaux cave paintings (France), the Altamira cave paintings (Spain), the Dunhuang Mogao grottoes murals (China), the Wei and Jin dynasty tomb wall paintings (Jiayuguan, China), and the 5^th century tomb murals from the northeast of China. Through a comparative study of microbial communities at these sites, we conclude that the microbes responsible for cave painting degradation are mainly Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria, of which <em>Escherichia</em> and <em>Enterobacter</em> are types of human pathogenic Proteobacteria. According to the analysis in this review, the emergence of these microbial communities in cave and wall paintings is closely related to the presence of tourists. The acid metabolism produced by <em>Pseudonomas</em> and <em>Nitrobacter</em> causes serious corrosion of murals. Our results suggest that the Actinobacteria <em>Pseudonocadia</em> accounts for approximately 68% of bacteria in a clone library produced from samples taken from 5^th Century tomb murals in northeast China. <em>Pseudonocadia</em> is the dominant microflora responsible for white biofilms attached to the murals, while algae are the dominant flora responsible for the green biofilms, the abundance of which is closely related to light, carbon dioxide and humidity levels in the cave. Conversely, fungal communities on cave murals, dominated by entomogenous fungi, appear to have a close relationship with insects that live in the cave. This paper analyzed similarities and differences between microbial communities that do harm to famous ancient cave and wall paintings, in an effort to understand their characteristics under the specific conditions found in caves and tombs, and also provide useful information for ancient painting conservation. Firstly, if effective measures are to be taken to protect these world heritage sites, it is important to consider the ecological perspective. Microorganisms do not grow in isolation and the relationship between various microorganisms, between microorganisms and the environment, and between microorganisms and insects, should be considered in order to facilitate the protection process. For example, a change in cave temperature and humidity will prevent a proportion of the microflora from growing due to the newly unsuitable conditions. Secondly, adopting a cross-disciplinary approach incorporating physics, chemistry, biology and engineering science, will help to control the emergence of these damaging microfloral communities. Furthermore, employing the methodology of phage inhibition and competitive advantage to inhibit the growth of unwanted microbial communities has proven to be an important research direction in recent years. Thirdly, both the conservation and tourist requirements of these cave sites must be balanced in the long-term, for example by reducing the number of visitors that enter the caves and tombs, and by employing the use of disposable sterile clothing and shoe covers to reduce the transmission of exogenous microbes into the caves. The long-term monitoring and regular analysis of cave and tomb paintings and the balancing of the local ecosystem are both important directions for the protection of these cultural heritage sites.

Zinc oxide-centred deterioration in 20th century Vietnamese paintings by Nguyễ Trọng Kiệm (1933–1991)

Five paintings dated 1963–1980, by Vietnamese artist Nguyễn Trọng Kiệm (1933–1919) in the Witness Collection, are investigated through study of paint cross–sections. Zinc oxide predominates in all paintings, and has strongly influenced their ageing. Widespread flaking is an ongoing concern. Unusual zinc and sulfur containing lumps in one early work have been investigated previously, and the mechanism of formation is reassessed. Paint samples are examined using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X–ray analysis, X–ray microdiffraction and FTIR techniques. Of key interest are zinc carboxylates, basic zinc carbonate and zinc sulfates as products of deterioration. No evidence is found to support the presence of crystalline zinc sulfate. Layered basic zinc salts incorporating carboxylate, carbonate and sulfate moieties are proposed as an alternative. Hot, humid conditions and pollution levels in Vietnam coupled with paints containing zinc oxide of different grades and the presence of unpigmented medium or size layers are significant factors in the condition of these paintings.

Zinc white: a review of zinc oxide pigment properties and implications for stability in oil-based paintings

Zinc oxide became a frequent component of 20th-century paints following its first commercial availability in the previous century. Aspects of zinc oxide pigment production and paint formulation which influence the reactive tendencies of zinc oxide in oil-based paints are reviewed. Particular attention is given to the formation and aggregation of zinc soaps which have been linked to deterioration in paintings. Pigment particle properties, fatty acid profiles, paint additives and environmental conditions are all significant factors.

Metal Stearate Distributions in Modern Artists' Oil Paints: Surface and Cross-Sectional Investigation of Reference Paint Films Using Conventional and Synchrotron Infrared Microspectroscopy

Zinc oxide is a prevalent industrial-age pigment that readily reacts with fatty acids in oil-based paints to form zinc carboxylates. Zinc stearate aggregates are associated with deterioration in late nineteenth and twentieth century paintings. The current study uses both conventional and synchrotron Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) to investigate metal carboxylate composition in a range of naturally aged artists' oil paints and reference paint film draw-downs. The paints contain zinc oxide alone or in combination with lead white, titanium white, and aluminum stearate and are prepared with linseed and safflower oils. Attenuated total reflectance (ATR)-FT-IR using the conventional source identifies marked differences in carboxylate profiles between exposed and protected surfaces in a large number of samples. Synchrotron FT-IR microspectroscopy of thin paint cross-sections maps metal carboxylate distributions at high spatial resolution and resolves broad concentration gradients and micrometer-scale phase separation of carboxylate species. Aluminum stearate, a common paint additive, is found to influence the distribution of zinc carboxylates more strongly than pigment composition or oil type. The presence of aluminum stearate results in higher concentrations and more pronounced separation of saturated C16 and C18 chain zinc carboxylates in the margin of paint nearest the polyester substrate. The presence of aluminum stearate in association with zinc oxide has a clear influence on zinc carboxylate formation and distribution, with potential implications for long term stability of vulnerable paintings.

Effects of emergency preservation measures following excavation of mural paintings in Takamatsuzuka Tumulus

The deterioration of mural paintings in Takamatsuzuka Tumulus was not only caused by microorganisms like fungi, but also by spalling of lime plaster. Following excavation of mural paintings, the emergency preservation measures were applied to control the hygrothermal environment, however, without a visible success. To reduce the deterioration of mural paintings, one must reduce the frequency of wetting and drying cycles inside the chamber. Using climatic measurements, a numerical simulation of the effects of postexcavation preservation measures on hygrothermal behavior in the stone chambers of Takamatsuzuka Tumulus was performed. The results showed that the method of covering the exposed surface of the stone chamber with a certain thickness of soil will be more effective in limiting the temperature increases within the stone chamber and controlling dryness on the interior surfaces.

VENTILATION OF THE ARCHEOLOGICAL TOMBS OF THE VALLEY OF KINGS, LUXOR, EGYPT

The cultural heritage left by the Egyptian pharaohs in the tombs of the Valley of the Kings represents some of the key elements of the Egyptian cultural wealth and standing monuments demonstrating the wealth and technology of the pharaohs. As the pharaohnic civilization is one of the oldest civilizations, the dedicated preservation of its remaining monuments and collections should be the focus of sincere international efforts. A major heritage of this civilization, i.e., the tombs of the Kings, is intact in the Valley of the Kings, Luxor, Egypt. These tombs were prepared to bury the Kings' mummies and artifacts for eternal life. Many of the wall paintings identifying the various ancient rituals and life style are in good conditions as the tombs were only recently opened to the public. However, tourists' activities in these tombs have resulted, in many instances, in the dramatic deterioration of wall paintings due in part to excessive humidity. The current indoor air flow conditions and air quality in the tombs are quite alarming; hence, appropriate measures should be taken to preserve the tombs and their contents. This dilemma invokes the need for a proper ventilation system that stabilizes the air conditioning as well as addresses comfort levels of visitors. Deterioration can be from lighting effects, high temperature and relative humidity. Pest infections, shock and vibration are also potential causes among pollution and visitors' traffic.

Holographic monitoring of transportation effects on canvas paintings

Digital holographic speckle pattern interferometry is used to locate areas at risk of deterioration in paintings due to vibration.

Millimeter Wave Imaging System Using Monopole Antenna with Cylindrical Reflector and Silicon Lens

We built a reflection imaging system that uses a monopole antenna with a cylindrical reflector and silicon semi-spherical lens for millimeter waves to identify detachments of alabaster from support material such as wood and stone, which can be subject to painting deterioration. Based on the electric field property near the monopole antenna in the system and the lens effect, the system was able to clearly image a test sample made of 2-mm width aluminium tape, which was placed within a range of approximately 10 mm from the lens. In practical imaging testing using a detachment model, which consists of alabaster and wood plating, the result also showed the possibility of observing slight detachment of the alabaster from the wood more easily than an imaging with large numerical aperture.

Deterioration in Abstract Expressionist Paintings: Analysis of Zinc Oxide Paint Layers in Works from the Collection of the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Smithsonian Institution

ABSTRACTA recent visual survey of Abstract Expressionist-era paintings in the collection of the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden (HMSG), Smithsonian Institution revealed a particular type of paint layer separation. Earlier work by the authors showed that zinc oxide in oil paint is a contributing factor to the problem. Ten samples from five Abstract Expressionist-era paintings as well as twenty-three samples eight years or older from the Smithsonian Institution’s (SI) Materials Study Collection were analyzed by pyrolysis – gas chromatography – mass spectrometry (Py-GC-MS), and unexpectedly significant amounts of oleic (cis-octadecenoic) acid were detected in samples containing high proportions of zinc oxide (25 % or greater by weight). In a typical fully cured oil paint, the oleic acid is oxidized to azelaic (nonanedioic) acid. Although the formation of zinc soaps in oil paints is well-known, the detection of zinc oleate in paints by Py-GC-MS has never been described. The close-packing of the oleate chains in the plate-like structure of zinc oleate prevents the oxidation of the cis-double bond, and therefore prevents the formation of azelaic acid. The detection of zinc oleate in paintings is an indication that the paint layers are at risk for future separation.

Non-destructive mapping of dampness and salts in degraded wall paintings in hypogeous buildings: the case of St. Clement at mass fresco in St. Clement Basilica, Rome

As is well known, the deterioration of wall paintings due to the capillary rise of water through the walls is a very widespread problem. In this paper, a study of microclimate monitoring, unilateral nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and evanescent-field dielectrometry (EFD) was applied to map non-destructively, in situ, and in a quantitative way the distribution of the moisture in an ancient deteriorated wall painting of the eleventh century. Both unilateral NMR and EFD are quite new, fully portable, and non-destructive techniques, and their combination is absolutely new. The approach reported here is proposed as a new analytical protocol to afford the problem of mapping, non-destructively, the moisture in a deteriorated wall painting in a hypogeous building such as that of the second level of St. Clement Basilica, Rome (Italy), where the use of IR thermography is impaired due to the environmental conditions, and the gravimetric tests are forbidden due to the preciousness of the artifact. The moisture distribution was mapped at different depths, from the very first layers of the painted film to a depth of 2 cm. It has also been shown how the map obtained in the first layers of the artwork is affected by the environmental conditions typical of a hypogeous building, whereas the maps obtained at higher depths are representative of the moisture due to the capillary rise of water from the ground. The quantitative analysis of the moisture was performed by calibrating NMR and EFD signals with purposely prepared specimens. This study may be applied before and after performing any intervention aimed at restoring and improving the state of conservation of this type of artwork and reducing the dampness or extracting salts (driven by the variation of moisture content) and monitoring the effectiveness of the performed interventions during the time. This protocol is applicable to any type of porous material.

Diagnosis of weathered Coptic wall paintings in the Wadi El Natrun region, Egypt

Abstract This paper deals with the impact of soluble salts on the deterioration of wall paintings in the region of Wadi El Natrun in Egypt, including the identification of the building materials and pigments used. For this purpose we used XRD analysis which proved that the green pigment in the Church of the Virgin, Wadi El Natrun is a mix of malachite and hydrocerussite, and the black pigment is graphite. The results proved that the building materials (stones, mortar, and plaster) in Wadi El Natrun are affected by ground water as they have the same soluble salts at different concentrations. The Wadi El Natrun lakes are the native source of natron salt, which has been used in mummification techniques. Soda lakes represent the major types of naturally occurring highly alkaline environments. The factors leading to the formation of the alkaline saline deposits may be divided into climatic, geological, and topographical. Climatic and topographical factors control the amount of water entering the system as rainfall or surface runoff and the amount leaving by evaporation. Geochemical factors determine which ions enter the system. Solutions of carbon dioxide result in the formation of a weak carbonic acid, which dissolutes the mineral components of the surrounding rocks and archaeological buildings, leading to their ion release.

The bacterial aetiology of rosy discoloration of ancient wall paintings

The inventory of microorganisms responsible for biological deterioration of ancient paintings has become an integral part of restoration activities. Here, the microbial agent of rosy discoloration on medieval frescoes in the Crypt of the Original Sin (Matera, Italy) was investigated by a combination of microscopic, molecular and spectroscopic approaches. The bacterial community from three rosy-discoloured painting sites was characterized by 16S rRNA gene-based techniques. The eubacterial population was prevalently composed of Actinobacteria, among which Rubrobacter radiotolerans-related bacteria accounted for 63-87% of the 16S rRNA gene pool per sampled site. Archaea, with prevalence of Haloarchaea-related species, were detected in one of the three sites where they accounted for < 0.1% of the total 16S rRNA gene pool. Raman spectroscopy confirmed the identity between R. radiotolerans carotenoids (bacterioruberins) and pigments responsible for colour alteration of frescoes. This investigation provides the first evidence of a causal relationship between heavy contamination by Rubrobacter-related bacterioruberin-producing bacteria and rosy discoloration of ancient wall paintings.