Technical Bulletin

Most relevant results and advances

This section presents the most important results in the form of specific, structured information about the progress made in the studies conducted as part of the materials laboratory’s different lines of work.

It provides information about the research carried out by our team, reporting on issues and international trends in technical studies, new technologies for analysing and studying artworks and possible causes of deterioration, as well as priorities in the conservation and restoration of paintings.

Materials laboratory: equipment for analysis
Risk assessment of the different cleaning systems for antique and contemporary paintings.
An overview of the origin and development of a control protocol used for the risk assessment of organic solvents when used in paint cleaning is shown
Research projects: sampling for analysis
Effects of Commercial Soaps on Unvarnished Painted Surfaces
This study presents the results from the use of Vulpex soap at low concentrations in an aqueous solution, in white spirit, and in fluid hydroxypropyl cellulose gels, applied directly on the unvarnished painting or on barrier paper and rigid agar gels.
Detail of the micro-sample taken from the painting "From the Plains II", 1954
Georgia O'Keeffe. Study of the technique of the artworks in the Thyssen-Bornemisza collections
On the occasion of the exhibition Georgia O'Keeffe we decided to undertake this research to deepen our knowledge of the artist's technique through the study of the five paintings housed in the Thyssen collections, painted between 1921 and 1957.
Raking light of the painting “White Iris No. 7”, 1957
The creation of metallic soaps in oil paints
The artwork of Georgia O'Keeffe from the collection of the Museo Nacional Thyssen Bornemisza as a target for the study of these processes. Antecedents.
Detail of the micro-sample taken from the background of the scene of the painting "The Card Game"
Technical study of “The Card Game” (1948-1950), by Balthus
The Restoration Area presents the results of the technical study carried out on this work, based on the analysis of materials, radiography, infrared reflectography and an exhaustive photographic documentation.
Detail of the macrophotography of the painting Harlequin with Mirror, by Picasso
Technical study of the painting "Harlequin with Mirror", by Pablo Ruiz Picasso
The Conservation Department of the Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza is studying the technical aspects of the painting Harlequin with a Mirror, painted by Pablo Ruiz Picasso in 1923, one of the masterpieces in the collection.
La escalera (Segundo estado). Fernand Léger
Analytical support for the study and restoration project of a painting by Fernand Léger
The analytical study of the materials of the artwork, based on the taking of micro-samples and the use of different instrumental techniques for the analysis of organic and inorganic compounds.