Research Projects

The laboratory plays an active part in various research projects

The restoration department’s laboratory catering to the demands of the museum’s team of restorers and conservators and to other general projects also related to the restoration, conservation or study and documentation of artworks. Other institutions of major importance in the field of scientific research on cultural heritage are involved in the latter tasks.

The results of multidisciplinary work combining research on the material, technical, stylistic and formal characteristics of the pieces are of great interest. The aim of these studies is to broaden our overall knowledge of paintings, adding a scientific perspective to tasks traditionally carried out only by experts.

 

Restoration process: reintegration
Research on the chemical and optical stability of contemporary materials for chromatic reintegration
The objective of this work is to evaluate the stability of the main materials currently available to the restorer for the reintegration phase.
Research projects: materials laboratory
Dynamic spectral evaluation of visible radiation damage in paints.
The present work describes a new method for the evaluation of light damage on different commercial paints used in the field of restoration.
Research projects: materials laboratory
Protocol for the risk assessment of cleaning systems with organic solvents on oil painted surfaces.
The results of this study allow us to propose to restorers a tool for risk assessment of the use of solvents in oil painting cleaning.
Cleaning process of the painting: varnish removal
Systems for the elimination or reduction of varnishes. Study of residues. Action protocols.
The cleaning process of a painted surface must be preceded by a previous knowledge of the material to be removed, as well as of the painting technique.
Research projects: materials laboratory
Creation of a database by means of micro-Raman spectroscopy of synthetic colorants used in 20th century painting
Synthetic dyes have a wide application in contemporary painting, and their precise identification can provide information both for the documentation of the piece, as well as for the estimation of possible periods of use.