Solvent Gels for the Cleaning of Works of Art : The Residue Question

by Dusan Stulik; David Miller; Herant Khanjian; Narayan Khandekar; Richard Wolbers

• ISBN13: 9780892367597
• ISBN10: 0892367598
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-07-29
• Publisher: J Paul Getty Museum Pubns
• More Book Details
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Summary

The cleaning of a work of art often involves removing not only dirt and grime but also unwanted layers of varnish, gilding, and paint from the work's surface. The challenge for conservators lies in finding a cleaning agent that will act on one layer without affecting the layer being preserved and without leaving any harmful residues on the cleaned work. This book, which examines gel cleaning in the treatment of paintings and painted works of art, presents the methodologies, data, and results of a collaborative project of the Getty Conservation Institute and Winterthur Museum. Among the issues covered are the theory and application of gel cleaning systems, the detection of residues left on the surfaces of objects cleaned with these systems, research into solvent-gel and solvent residues, stability of surfactants during natural and artificial aging, and recommendations for formulating gels for specific cleaning tasks.

Author Biography

Contributors include scientists from the Getty Conservation Institute; California State University, Northridge; Fogg Art Museum; the Winterthur/University of Delaware Program in Art Conservation; and Winterthur Museum, Garden, and Library.

Table of Contents

Foreword	v
Timothy P. Whalen
Preface	vii
Valerie Dorge
Acknowledgments	x
Introduction	1	(4)
Narayan Khandekar
Gelled Systems: Theory and Early Application	5	(7)
Narayan Khandekar
What Is a Gel?	5	(2)
Aqueous Gel-based Cleaning Systems	7	(5)
Research into Potential Problems Arising from the Use of Aqueous Cleaning Systems	12	(6)
Narayan Khandekar
Gel Preparation	12	(1)
Potential Problems with the Aqueous Systems	12	(6)
Research into Solvent Gel Residues	18	(48)
Dusan Stulik
David Miller
Development of the Scientific Methodology	18	(5)
Quantitative Study of Gel Residues on Paintings	23	(16)
Quantitative Study of Gel Residues on Highly Porous and Topographically Complex Surfaces	39	(7)
Lateral Distribution of Gel Residues	46	(8)
Appendix: A Methodological Approach to Selecting a Cleaning System	54	(12)
Richard Wolbers
Research into Solvent Residues	66	(18)
Herant Khanjian
Dusan Stulik
David Miller
Relationship between Solvent Parameters and Solvent Evaporation	68	(1)
Solvent-Paint Interaction and Evaporation	68	(1)
Quantitative Investigation of Solvent Residues	69	(5)
Results	74	(8)
Conclusions	82	(2)
Aging Characteristics of Surfactants	84	(32)
Janice Carlson
W. Christian Petersen
Background	84	(2)
Materials and Methods	86	(4)
Results	90	(17)
Miscellaneous Studies	107	(2)
Conclusions	109	(2)
Appendix: Interaction of MethPrep with Surfactants	111	(5)
Detection of Residues on the Surfaces of Museum Objects Previously Cleaned with Aqueous Gels	116	(15)
Narayan Khandekar
Materials and Methods	116	(2)
Detecting Residue on a Model System	118	(5)
Examination of Museum Objects	123	(4)
Interpretation and Discussion	127	(3)
Conclusions	130	(1)
Project Outcome, Spin-offs, and Future Research Needs	131	(14)
Dusan Stulik
Richard Wolbers
Project Results	132	(6)
New Research Methodologies Resulting from the Project	138	(1)
Suggestions for Further Research into Aqueous Gel Systems and Surface Cleaning	138	(2)
A Decision Tree as a Methodological Approach to Preparing Gels for Surface Cleaning	140	(5)
References	145	(8)
Materials	153	(3)
Index	156	(5)
About the Authors	161