Why synthetic emerald-green pigments degrade over time
2 days ago
- #art conservation
- #synthetic pigments
- #X-ray imaging
- Emerald-green synthetic pigments from the 19th century were prized by artists like Cézanne, Munch, van Gogh, and Monet but degraded over time, forming cracks and releasing arsenic.
- European researchers used synchrotron radiation and analytical tools to study the degradation caused by light and humidity, publishing findings in Science Advances.
- X-ray imaging helps art conservationists, such as identifying metal carboxylate soaps in oil paintings, like those at the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum.
- Similar deterioration is found in works by Rembrandt, with projects like the Met's studying metal soap formation in oil paintings.
- Researchers found lead formate in Rembrandt's 'Night Watch' and analyzed metal carboxylate soaps in Corot’s 'Gypsy Woman with Mandolin' using infrared techniques.