Preserving the Painted Image: The Art and Science of Conservation

Abstract

Colour is integral to art and particularly to paintings. When considered from a materials perspective, the ageing of pigments and dyes affects colour and thus how a painting is viewed. In addition to this, varnish and dirt layers obscure detail and change tonality. Conservation attempts to prevent such changes from occurring at the earliest stages. Nevertheless, ageing is a natural process for artist materials, and various more invasive treatment techniques such as cleaning and varnish removal may be considered. This has historically resulted in public controversy when the process is not adequately understood or communicated. More commonly now, scientific research is routinely applied to the analysis of pigments, colour measurement and treatment which reduces risk and aims to preserve the artist’s original intent.