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Chemistry diagnoses a painting's ills

Chemical analysis of the paint, glaze, and varnish layers on a Rembrandt canvas provided insights into artistic technique and guided art conservators in restoring the masterpiece.

References:

Erhardt, D. 1999. Degradation and failure in the lab: Studies of the aging process of archival materials. Pittsburgh Conference. March. Orlando, Fla.

Heeren, R.M.A. 1999. FTIR-imaging of paint cross-sections from 17-19th century Dutch paintings. Pittsburgh Conference. March. Orlando, Fla.

Sources:

David Erhardt
Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Center for Materials Research and Education
Museum Support Center
4210 Silver Hill Road
Suitland, MD 20746-2813

Ron M.A. Heeren
FOM Institute for Atomic and Molecular Physics
Kruislaan 407
1098 SJ Amsterdam
Netherlands

From Science News, Vol. 155, No. 11, March 13, 1999, p. 166. Copyright © 1999, Science Service.

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